Klopp Was Surprised Kagawa Was On Market

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp believes Shinji Kagawa’s abrupt exit from Manchester United is as a result of the instability at the Premier League club.

The Japanese midfielder returned back to the ‘Westfalendians’ after two unsuccessful seasons at Old Trafford last month for a reported £6m fee- about half the amount Man Utd paid to sign him in 2012.

On his return debut, the 25-year-old scored a goal and set-up one more in Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Freigburg.

“I was kind of surprised Kagawa was on the market again,” Klopp said. “His first year at Manchester United was Sir Alex Ferguson’s last year, so that isn’t the time to develop players. The only thing you want at that stage is results and titles.

“Kagawa’s second year at United was the first year of the new coach, so that’s also all about results. Then there was a third manager with a very successful philosophy (Van Gaal). So we saw the chance to sign Kagawa and we took it. Kagawa was sensational against Freiburg.”

Kagawa Scored 6 League Goals During His Two Yea Stay in Manchester. Image: Getty.
Kagawa Scored 6 League Goals During His Two Yea Stay in Manchester. Image: Getty.

Dortmund begin their Champions League campaign at home to Arsenal on Tuesday night and Klopp believes the ‘Gunners’ are much improved from the side that won 1-0 at the Signal Iduna Park last season.

“Now they have new players like Alexis Sanchez. Olivier Giroud can’t play but when you look at their squad they have a lot of alternatives,” he said.

“Arsenal played very defensively here last year. But you have to say that our Champions League is starting against a great team. Arsenal are a very hard opponent and I think they did a great job on transfers over the summer.

“Now their squad has great stability and they’re actually able to play the type of football that Arsene Wenger wants to see.”

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