Kagawa makes Manchester United debut as late substitute

Jul 19, 2012 5:55:00 AM

The Samurai Blue star was reportedly set to start the pre-season friendly, but instead came on at the end of regular time in relief of team-mate Javier Hernandez

Shinji Kagawa made his anticipated debut for Manchester United on Wednesday night, playing just four minutes in his club's 1-0 win over Durban-based AmaZulu in South Africa.

The Japan international was expected to start, but instead began the match on the bench after manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to play it safe with his new star. But Kagawa finally stepped on to the pitch to replace Javier Hernandez after the Mexican striker sustained a cramp.

"He must have been standing on the touchline for 10 minutes," Ferguson told the club's official website after the match. "The ball never seemed to go out when we wanted it to.

"But I think he'll probably start on Saturday [against Ajax Cape Town]."

Kagawa himself was eager to please fans on the first leg of United's five-nation pre-season tour, including over 10,000 paying supporters who saw him score in a mini-game on Tuesday.

"I've joined the club but haven't shown my potential yet," the former Borussia Dortmund man told MUTV.

"So this is my first mission and I hope I can show all the supporters what I'm able to do."

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