Shinji Kagawa admits Sir Alex Ferguson's sudden retirement has left its mark on him as he endured a short-lived Manchester United spell.
The Japanese star joined from Borussia Dortmund and was very highly-rated following his stint in Germany. Kagawa moved to the Premier League giants in 2012 and played 26 games in his first season. But shortly after that successful campaign Ferguson called time on his managerial career.
The Scot had been in charge for well over two decades and decided to walk away after leading United to another Premier League title. David Moyes came in and continued to use the playmaker, but the lure of working for Ferguson was no longer there and the 33-year-old would return to Dortmund just two years after moving to England.
Kagawa was keen to learn off Ferguson, who had made serious efforts to attract him from Germany. His departure and the manner of it was something the players didn't foresee and leaves the Japan international wondering what might have been.
He told De Morgen: "I had the privilege of working with Ferguson for a year which was a great honour. I wanted to work with him longer, but fate decreed otherwise. It was a very beautiful period. Ferguson really wanted me in; I'll never forget that.
"At the time, I didn’t think about that, that I was working with such a legend. Now I realize much better who he really is. If I’m honest, my first year at Manchester United was okay. We won the title, but that was because of Robin van Persie. He scored 26 goals that season. I didn’t have as much confidence anymore as I did during my passage at Dortmund.
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"The adjustment in England was not always easy; there were sometimes doubts. A new language, system, coach, environment. Ferguson left after my first year, and I really didn’t see that coming. It was Ferguson who brought me to Manchester, eh. I thought I could work with him for at least another year."
Moyes came in and spent big money to sign Juan Mata six months into his tenure, which the former United boss claims had a negative affect on Kagawa. "Every manager has his own philosophy. When Moyes signed the Spanish superstar Mata, Kagawa felt that he no longer was the first choice, and gave up a hope a bit," Ferguson told German daily Bild .
United's struggles since Ferguson's departure have been clear for all to see. Their best effort in the Premier League is second, but they have also finished outside the top four on numerous occasions under different managers. The Old Trafford hierarchy are again seeking a new permanent boss with Erik ten Hag tipped to be the next man through the door.
