Kagawa ready for action with Manchester United

Japan international Shinji Kagawa said Wednesday life at Manchester United was a daunting prospect, in his first public comments after his transfer was confirmed earlier this month."No doubt, it will truly be a big challenge for me, and I realise that mistakes will not be tolerated," the attacking midfielder told reporters in Japan, after returning from a World Cup qualifier in Australia."I have to work harder than ever. I have to take this step with that sort of resolve," the 23-year-old said.The Premier League outfit announced on June 5 that it had reached a deal with the player and his German club Borussia Dortmund.The agreement, estimated to be worth around 12 million pounds ($18.4 million), will see Kagawa become the first Japanese national to join Sir Alex Ferguson's men.Kagawa revealed that Ferguson told him the transfer would be a huge challenge but wanted him to feel he could put his trust in his new manager."I was grateful to hear that from such a great person," Kagawa said.The deal is nearly finalised, pending a medical exam later this month, Kagawa said.Other big name clubs including Chelsea, AC Milan and Arsenal had been linked with Kagawa ahead of the signing.In the end, he said: "Manchester (United) was the club that I most wanted to go to."Kagawa cost Dortmund just 350,000 euros when he joined from J-League side Cerezo Osaka in 2010. He has scored 21 goals in 49 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, helping them win back-to-back league titles.He has been a key player in Japan's national team, which drew 1-1 in the World Cup qualifier against Australia Tuesday night.Japan lead the five-team Asian Group B on seven points from three games, followed by Iraq, Australia, Oman and Jordan.

Source: AFP