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He only played for 14 minutes at the Hawthorns on Saturday but there was still a question about Shinji Kagawa for David Moyes to answer in his post-match press conference.

There's always a question about Kagawa.

There was an enquiry about the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder after United's defeat at Stoke in early February, a game Kagawa watched from the stands.

You can always rely on the pack of Japanese journalists who follow the 24-year-old's every move to work him in somehow.

Speak to any of them and they are mystified Kagawa doesn't get more opportunities.

Much like the English couldn't understand David Beckham's absence from the Real Madrid team under Fabio Capello. Beckham was – still is - a national hero. And heroes don't sit on the bench.

Kagawa hasn't started for United since Juan Mata arrived from Chelsea in January.

In the last six weeks, he has been just as likely to be left out of the squad entirely (twice) as he is to come on as a substitute (twice).

When the inevitable question came after the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Moyes admitted Kagawa has been pushed down the pecking order.

But he was positive on his chances for more football before the end of the season.

“I've just felt that with the emergence of Adnan and Juan Mata, we've got competition for places,” said Moyes.

“We've got big competition. Shinji will play a lot more games between now and the end of the season. I've got no doubt about that.”

But whether it happens is another matter.

Moyes has, at least, found a system that appears to suit him.

At Crystal Palace and West Brom, the United manager set up with Mata, Januzaj and Wayne Rooney supporting Robin van Persie.

It seemed straight-forward that, after an encouraging result at Selhurst Park, Kagawa would replace Mata, cup-tied for the Champions League, in the front four against Olympiacos.

But he remained on the bench in Athens as Moyes brought back Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Tom Cleverley. Back came a flat four-man midfield. Back came the type of turgid performance that has pockmarked United's season.

Moyes faces the same dilemma ahead of Liverpool's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday. And in the return leg against Olympiacos next week, with Mata again unavailable.

Manchester's Japanese press pack are convinced if Moyes doesn't back up his words and give Kagawa more chances he'll be off in the summer.

One or two insist he's already decided to leave whatever happens between now and the end of the season.

There will be no shortage of takers, especially in Germany where he was so impressive for two seasons between 2010 and 2012.

He would be welcomed back in Dortmund with open arms. Some of their fans have been running a #FreeShinji campaign on social media for nearly 18 months. There is a Twitter account dedicated to it called 'FreeShinjiComeHome'.

Nearly 15 minutes on the pitch and some positive words from his manager represents a good day for Kagawa at the moment.

And next week's make-or-break second leg with Olympiacos next week represents Moyes' best chance to fulfil his promise to give Kagawa more of a chance.

But there are still question marks over whether he would be first choice to replace Mata, even in that system.

When it comes to Kagawa, there are always questions.