Soccer: Kagawa blames United for dip in form for Japan

Shinji Kagawa. Photo / AP

Shinji Kagawa has claimed that his lack of first-team soccer at Manchester United is affecting his international form with Japan.

The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder has made just one Premier League appearance this season, with manager David Moyes initially claiming that the 24-year-old's disrupted pre-season programme had left him battling to rediscover match fitness.

Moyes cited tactical reasons for withdrawing Kagawa at halftime during the 1-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion and also pointed to the need to assess the squad left by Sir Alex Ferguson when explaining the Japanese player's absences.

But after playing in Japan's friendlies against Serbia and Belarus this week, Kagawa said he needed to play more regularly at United to regain his form and fitness.

"There's a matter of fitness and there's also that atmosphere of playing for my country," Kagawa said.

"Maybe it's because I'm not used to being on the pitch of late, but I didn't feel like I was able to enter these two games properly. Personally, I felt strongly after these two matches that I need to play more."

Moyes could be without Tom Cleverley against Southampton on Sunday morning following the midfielder's withdrawal from the England squad with a calf strain. But Robin van Persie (toe) and Marouane Fellaini (wrist) are both expected to be involved.