EXCLUSIVE
By Alex Labidou
Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen believes new signing Shinji Kagawa is a complete player and cannot wait to see him in action at Old Trafford.
United have successfully agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to bring the Japan international to the club in the summer, pending a medical and successful application for a work permit.
Kagawa began his career at J-League side Cerezo Osaka before plying his trade in the Bundesliga with Dortmund and securing two successive Bundesliga titles.
Meulensteen has been a significant admirer of the playmaker's performances and believes his side have signed a top-class attacking talent.
"I rank Kagawa very highly,” the coach told Goal.com.
"He’s a player that I've known for a while because I keep an eye on the German Bundesliga. He's done very well over there. I think he's a player that will fit Manchester United and complement us.
"At Dortmund, Kagawa played behind the striker which is a good position for him to play. He's got great movement, a great way to find spaces.
"He gets behind the opposition in the midfield which means that he can help in possession or be direct in moving forward. He can play the ball quick, one touch or two touch.
"He's got the complete package of what you would want from an attacking midfielder"
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"He can create chances and he can score goals, he's got the complete package of what you would want from an attacking midfielder.
"He can also play on either wing or even deeper in the midfield. So, he's a very versatile player."
Kagawa has been extremely influential in Dortmund’s recent success, scoring 21 goals in 49 games as well as providing 12 assists.
United’s first team coach outlined how important it was for the Red Devils to add to their attacking options when considering the number of games the club compete in and believes their new signing can work well with the other attacking players currently in the squad.
"He is another good addition and a player who can score," Meulensteen added. "It's all about the players that we bring into focus. He will flow into the qualities that we have and his signing gives us more options.
"You play in the big leagues for so many games as well as the Champions League. We know how difficult it is. You need plenty of quality players and he is another."
But the Old Trafford staff member refused to be drawn on another playmaker, Eden Hazard, who United had been linked with heavily before his move to Chelsea.
"There will be more players that will come out from the media that are reportedly on Manchester United's radar," he said.
"These are usually players that are on the radars of all big clubs - so that's nothing new. The media, most of the time, just take it from there. I couldn't comment on whether we were interested.
"Regardless, Hazard has signed for Chelsea so that is a closed book for us."
Meulensteen spoke with Goal.com on behalf of Super Soccer Stars. He will be in New York City during June 21-24, coaching young kids in the area.
