“Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United - on the left wing! My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes. Central midfield is Shinji’s best role. He’s an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw. But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund. We cried for 20 minutes, in each others’ arms, when he left.”
- Jurgen Klopp
Paul Scholes comes on as a substitute, replacing Shinji Kagawa, in his final match for Manchester United
Robin van Persie: “I was waiting for some Fergie time, you know, at the end. But it didn’t happen. It was good fun for everyone, to score 10 goals, so I think the fans are pleased.”
Javier Hernandez: “It’s the first time in my career that I’ve been involved in a game with 10 goals! It was a crazy match and also a bit frustrating because we wanted to win it. I think we thought we had it won which was a mistake because we relaxed a little bit and West Brom made very good substitutions which helped their team. It’s frustrating but the most important thing is we have won the league.”
“He has a magnetic power. I felt it the first time I met him, from the way he conducts himself and also from working with him on the pitch. He communicates well with his players and respects them. As the season went on, I got to communicate with him more, both on football and other subjects. That was important.”
“He is a friendly person and his spirit is much younger than his age. I think that’s because of his achievements over the years, and also his personality. I wish I could have played much longer under him. What he has achieved for the club is tremendous - he is in a class of his own.”
- Shinji Kagawa
Manchester United Player of the Year awards dinner: Red carpet arrivals
“I thought that ‘99 could not be beaten but you’ve beaten it today. Thank you for the fantastic support. I hope we’re here to win this many times again. We have a young squad, with a lot of good young players, who are going to get better. The big test is to win it three times in a row. I hope the boys can do it.”
- Sir Alex Ferguson
“It’s been really good settling in. The boys have been really, really nice to me from day one. I’ve noticed that they want to share success and I’m like that as well. I want to have success but I want everyone to play their part in it which they did.”
“The guys have great banter, they’re good guys, funny guys, we joke around a lot but when we have to work, we do that. We train hard and we play hard as well so hopefully there will be many more trophies to come. I’m sure that will happen with this team. We’ve got loads of big characters. This is what I like about this team. Everyone is his own character, everyone adds to the team. To become champions in the end, every little thing helps.”
- Robin van Persie
“It is one of the best feelings ever, this is what you work for as a player and it feels unbelievable to have the trophy in my hands. I have been at the club for a long time now and I know it is all about winning things, so to be part of that is massive for me so I am buzzing.”
- Tom Cleverley
The contents of this blog do not reflect my personal views, but are opinions/statements from ManUtd.com.
