First Impressions

Adam Marshall sees Shinji Kagawa and Nick Powell introduced to the media... There was a tangible extra buzz of anticipation around the press conference inside the Knights Lounge at Old Trafford. This was supplied largely by the throng of Japanese journalists and video camera operators who were gathered to follow the every word of new United No26 Shinji Kagawa. However, the discussion was dominated, as usual, by questions directed to Sir Alex Ferguson. The boss looked tanned and fresh after a summer break and cracked the occasional joke. When asked if he'd recovered from the heartbreaking finale to the Barclays Premier League title race, he replied with a smile: "Red wine helps!" Kagawa took the full glare of the spotlight in his stride, speaking through an interpreter but pledging to learn English as quickly as possible. I have to confess it wasn't my first sighting of the Japan international since his arrival, as I'd seen him at Carrington on Wednesday, and the initial impression is, although he's short in stature, he exudes confidence and inner calm. For all the fuss that surrounds the Asian superstar, he appears very level-headed and clearly appreciates that signing for a club of United's size and popularity will raise his profile into a whole new stratosphere. Nick Powell is perceived as one for the future but handled the occasion with a measured assurance. The 18-year-old was at pains to point out how different life at Old Trafford will be compared to when he was a main man at Crewe but Sir Alex offered plenty of words of encouragement for the teenager, including the promise of training regularly with the first-team squad