Sir Alex Ferguson has plenty to take into account as Tuesdayas Champions League conflict with Real Madrid gets ever closer. An injury to Phil Jonesa'who was outstanding in the first leg in the Spanish money, a 1-1 drawa'creates an opening in the center of midfield, and on Saturday Shinji Kagawa created a claim for an area in the starting XI with a performance against Norwich. No doubt the Manchester United manager will spend another day or two mulling his possibilities. There are a handful of cases offered to him and a few players who have found their type throughout Unitedas recent purple spot. Kagawa is one of these. But will he start against Madrid? Most likely, yes. Ferguson tends to be very loyal to the groups that perform for him, and as Kagawa was the main squad that gained the sketch at the Bernabeu he was often more prone to be included than neglected on Tuesday, anyway. Of course, Ferguson in addition has been considered to be loyal to a problem, as was demonstrated together with his choice for the 2011 Champions League final. While a completely different method could have been guaranteed against Wembley opponents Barcelona, he kept the faith with he that had been got by the team that much and was decisively beaten. Heall become more deliberate along with his options now, but Kagawa is still in line for a place in the very first XI. Section of this is right down to Jonesa likely shortage. The 21-year-old did a very good noticing work against Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital but transpired by having an foot injury during Unitedas 2-1 win over Reading in the FA Cup the following week-end. If he were to pass up, and Kagawa not involved either, Ferguson might suddenly have two main midfield slots to fill, and he wouldnat be comfortable giving them to two of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Tom Cleverley and Anderson against an opposition of Madridas quality. So itas safe to say Kagawa can get some of those two areas. Obviously, Ferguson can end up taking a totally different courtesy on Tuesday, parting with the 4-2-3-1 that has served him well in 2010 and implementing a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3 development. We found hints with this against Norwich at Old Trafford, where Michael Carrick, Anderson and Kagawa established a midfield group behind Antonio Valencia, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, who functioned as a three-pronged attack. Valencia, in particular, could possibly be in Fergusonas options for Madrid if he feels the Ecuador winger will be able to stick to Cristiano Ronaldo down and up that flank. All of the likely scenarios for the Champions League Round of 16 second-lega'barring a Jones returna'include Kagawa. But thereas a final factor to think about as well. Neither United or Madrid are likely to keep a clean sheet on Tuesday, and Ferguson has admitted the maximum amount of. And in a match by which theyall be required to rating, United will need its kind finisher who, after Saturdayas showing, just happens to be Kagawa. The Japanese playmaker is displaying his quality at an essential moment of the summer season.
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