Manchester
United defender Rio Ferdinand is backing Japan international
Shinji Kagawa to be a big hit in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, currently
in China with the rest of the United squad, has already impressed
his new team-mates.
Ferdinand said: "I've been very, very impressed. I'd seen him
play for Dortmund on TV and I looked on YouTube.
"He's been fantastic. He's quick, he's sharp, he has great
awareness, he plays off both feet. I'm excited about playing with
him and getting the season started.
"He's been one of the better players in Germany for the last few
years. I think he will bring that form to Manchester United. I
think he'll be a great acquisition."
Kagawa
arrived at Old Trafford on a four-year deal last month and has
taken little time to adapt to his new surroundings.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been delighted with how quickly he
has got to grips with life at his new club despite not yet having a
grasp of English.
The Scot told a press conference in Shanghai: "The thing that's
quite impressed me is that every exercise we do on the training
ground, he's never needed it to be explained.
"After one demonstration, he joins in as if he's known the
language forever. Of course, we know he doesn't speak the language,
but it isn't a problem.
"It just goes to show that a good footballer can pick up exactly
what's needed. He's been fantastic in that respect. I've been quite
surprised at that."
Kagawa and his team-mates will play their latest pre-season
friendly on Wednesday when they take on Shanghai Shenhua, the
latest destination for Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba.
The Chinese game is proving a lucrative market for big-name
players approaching the end of their careers, although England
defender Ferdinand has insisted it is not yet on his horizon.
He said: "I think when you get to my age, if you look too far
ahead, your legs can get taken beneath you.
"All I'm interested in is playing for United. It's what I
enjoy.
"Pre-season began well. I'm just thinking about this season and
playing for Manchester United. I'm obviously very happy here and
not looking at going anywhere else."
Meanwhile, Ferguson admitted finding a long-term replacement for
37-year-old midfielder Paul Scholes, who came out of retirement
last season to star for United once again, is an ongoing concern
with illness preventing Darren Fletcher from staking his own
claim.
Ferguson said: "Darren has a medical situation that he's trying
hard to keep under control. We don't expect him back immediately,
but hopefully he does come back at some point.
"Paul Scholes a year ago was coaching my reserves - now he's
back playing, and everybody attached to United is delighted. He's
such a fantastic player.
"In the long-term, trying to replace Scholes is very difficult.
To replace a great player like him would be hard for anyone."
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