• Premier League

Kagawa snubbed Dortmund return chance

ESPN staff
July 30, 2013
Shinji Kagawa wants to improve his displays at Manchester United © PA Photos
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Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp has claimed he offered Shinji Kagawa a return to the Champions League finalists this summer - but said the Japan international rejected a move to stay at Manchester United.

Kagawa joined United from Dortmund last year after helping Klopp's side back-to-back Bundesliga titles.

And Klopp, who has lost attacking midfielder Mario Gotze to Bayern Munich, suggested he wanted Kagawa back as his replacement.

But he said the midfielder, who scored 29 goals in his two seasons at the Westfalenstadion, was swift to say that he wasn't interested.

"This is not an issue for him this year, not even for us," Klopp told Sky Deutschland.

"It was clear relatively quickly, Shinji wants to prevail this year at Manchester United. I did not expect a different answer, you just have to ask even once."

Kagawa scored six goals in his debut campaign at Old Trafford and won the Premier League title but has said he was not happy with his performances for United.

Klopp criticised former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for his deployment of Kagawa, telling the Guardian in May: "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."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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