David Moyes: Shinji Kagawa must improve to be a Manchester United regular

David Moyes has warned Shinji Kagawa he must improve if he wants to become a regular in the Manchester United lineup.

Kagawa has been reduced to a bench role at Old Trafford following Moyes’ appointment over the summer, but was given a chance to shine in the Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool this week.

However, despite turning in a tidy performance in a 1-0 win for United, Moyes says the Japan international has work to do before he can consider himself a regular starter.

‘Shinji did okay against Liverpool,’ he said.

'He grew into the game a little bit and there were a few bits that I was really pleased with.

‘But there were also bits where we wanted to see a little bit more – he’s still really short of fitness.’

Kagawa is a firm fans favourite at United but has been linked with a return to Borussia Dortmund in recent weeks, with their supporters launching a campaign to bring him back.

It’s thought that if the winger has not secured regular football by January, he may consider leaving United on loan in a bid to impress before the World Cup.