Shinji Kagawa: Wants to be able to play in several roles for Man United

Japan international Kagawa has spent large periods of his United career operating from a left-midfield role since his 2012 move from Borussia Dortmund.

Kagawa initially had to wait for his chance under David Moyes this season and, after primarily being used on the left, he has been deployed in a more central position in recent weeks.

That was where Kagawa excelled for his former club Dortmund, but he also wants to be able to perform in a variety of positions for United.

"I played behind the main striker at Dortmund, but I usually play on the left with Japan," Kagawa told United Review.

"I should be flexible enough to play in a number of roles, so I am a more attractive player to the team and can contribute even more.

"Every day I am learning how to trouble my opponents on the left, how best to cause them problems with my movement. But I would still like to be capable of taking up more positions."

With Wayne Rooney ruled out through suspension and Robin van Persie's involvement uncertain, Kagawa could end up being a key figure when United take on Newcastle on Saturday on the back of Wednesday's 1-0 home defeat by Everton.

Not since 2002 have United lost successive Premier League home games and those defeats by Middlesbrough and Arsenal were separated by over six weeks, during which time they completed two Champions League ties.

Even earlier the same season, when they were beaten at Old Trafford on successive weekends by Chelsea and West Ham, a European victory came in between.

The last time United were beaten in successive league games on home soil without any respite in between was in December 1989, the season that also contained a hammering by Manchester City and ended with a 13th placed finish.

Given the growing pressure on David Moyes, a repeat cannot be countenanced against a Newcastle outfit searching for their first Old Trafford success since 1972.