When Manchester United signed Shinji Kagawa back in the summer of 2012, it invoked a mixed reaction from the Old Trafford faithful.

Some, more cynical Red Devils may well have seen the Japan international’s acquisition as a continued way of tapping into the financially lucrative Asian demographic after the departure of Park Ji-Sung to Queen’s Park Rangers.

The more astute and knowledgeable section of the United fanbase will have realised that their side had added a player of real quality to the squad.

Last season the attacking midfielder featured in 20 Premier League games, starting 17. Kagawa was used in a number of positions in the bespoke 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 system that was deployed – namely on one of the flanks or in the number ten role.

It quickly became clear that the Japanese star had the technical abilities and poise on the ball to operate from wide, but was much more dangerous when utilised behind a main striker.

Many, including myself, tipped this to be the year for Kagawa to really assert himself at Old Trafford and blossom into the player that Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped he would be.

However, under David Moyes the 24-year-old has only started seven Premier League games and seems to have taken a step backwards after fleeting positive glimpses last term.

Kagawa rose to prominence at Borussia Dortmund after a budget move from Cerezo Osaka in his homeland, but did so as Jurgen Klopp played to his strengths.

The attributes that made him such as a success at Signal Iduna Park, and persuaded United to part with €16 million to land him, were his movement off the ball, exemplary first touch, vision and pristine range of passing.

These qualities were best showcased in a central attacking midfield role in Germany, with Kagawa prospering in the number ten position. Behind initially Lucas Barrios and then Robert Lewandowski, Kagawa plagued opposition with the positions he would take up and was deemed as one of the most creative and gifted players in the Bundesliga.

Thirteen goals and nine assists in the 2011-12 campaign, Dortmund’s second Bundesliga title with Kagawa in the team, proved as much.

His lack of impact in England comes down to a pure matter of tactics. On the wing Kagawa does not have as much of a free reign over the positions he takes up, as if he drifts inside he eats up the space of others. His natural intuition is to pass and go, not beat men with individual skill, which does not lead itself to a wide position in United’s midfield.

The resurgence of Wayne Rooney has largely been the reason for the lack of opportunities to play in the number ten role, with the England international proving this season that he is worthy of the playmaker mantle.

The signing of Juan Mata, a player who also wants to play in a central position but like Kagawa may have to make do with a role on the peripheries, will play its part in restricting the Japanese star’s chances further.

Undoubtedly talented, Kagawa deserves to be playing regularly – whether it is at United or elsewhere. As things stand the likelihood of the Japan international getting a prolonged period of games in his favoured position is minimal, with Adnan Januzaj even taking up a number ten role at times too.

With no goals this season and a lack of chances to gather any momentum or confidence, it is likely that Kagawa will have to reassess his situation come the summer. He is unfortunate that the position that he plays in is one of the very few that Manchester United actually have top-quality strength in depth in.