Japanese midfielder has been restricted to just seven minutes of action this season.
Manchester United boss David Moyes has cited Shinji Kagawa’s international commitments as the reason for his lack of playing time this season.
A seven-minute substitute cameo against in the 2-0 Community Shield victory over Wigan on August 11 is all that Kagawa has mustered this season under Moyes and he is yet to feature in the Premier League.
United supporters have been left mystified the Japanese midfielder’s omission from the squad, while the 24-year-old revealed his frustration earlier this week saying: “Please ask David Moyes why I’m not in the side.”
But the Old Trafford boss has broken his silence on the issue and explained that Kagawa’s hectic international schedule – that includes two trips back to the Far East since the Confederations Cup came to an end – is behind his absence.
“There are quite a lot of players who have not featured yet,” he told Sky Sports.
“But if you look at it most of them were late back from international duty after the Confederations Cup, then they were away for a friendly international and a long-haul flight, then they were away again for another international.
“If you look at the reasons why people haven’t played, it is more to do with them not being available for that to happen.”
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