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Kagawa: I won't be distracted

Ross DunbarMay 23, 2014

Shinji Kagawa has not been favored by Manchester United's Scottish coaches, but the midfielder refuses to be distracted by his new club coach ahead of what promises to be an exciting World Cup for his country.

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WM-Camp Japan Training Shinji Kagawa
Image: picture-alliance/maxppp

Former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa admits he is not out to prove his worth to Louis van Gaal at the 2014 World Cup. The Red Devils confirmed this week that current Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal will take charge of the club, with Ryan Giggs as his assistant, after the tournament in Brazil.

Kagawa played for Dortmund between 2010 and 2012, winning back-to-back championships after his move from Cerezo Osaka. He earned a dream move to Old Trafford in 2012, but has largely been on the fringes under both Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes.

The attacking-midfielder has failed to score in 30 matches this season, but has remained an integral part of Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni's World Cup plans.

Kagawa revealed United players had long been aware that Van Gaal would be Moyes' successor after weeks of uncertainty and speculation.

"I'm not using the World Cup as a place to showcase myself for (van Gaal)," Kagawa told the Kyoto news agency. "We've known for some time it was going to be him.

"We've got the World Cup first so I'll deal with all that after this is over.

"I think everyone knows I want to do well at the World Cup, and I'm sure everyone else does too.

"But I don't want to get my priorities mixed up here -- the important thing is for Japan to win at the World Cup."

Kagawa is expected to start for Japan in their opening group matches against Ivory Coast in Recife on June 14, before facing Greece and Colombia in their concluding group games.

Before then, Japan will head across the Atlantic to ramp up preparations with friendlies against Costa Rica and Zambia in Florida.

The former Dortmund star, who has scored 17 international goals, feels he is still in good shape to feature in Brazil, despite having been a relatively fringe part of Moyes' ailing United squad.

"I basically want to keep doing what I did at Manchester United. I made sure I got the work in after games I didn't play in. I know how to get myself into shape," Kagawa said.

"I was able to stay motivated despite the year I had because I had the World Cup to look forward to."

rd/jh (AFP)