Kagawa shines as United edge closer to title

Manchester United regained their fifteen point advantage over Manchester City with a comfortable 4-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford.

Shinji Kagawa gave the hosts a deserved lead on the stroke of half time, volleying past goalkeeper Mark Bunn.

The score at one-nil until the 76th minute, when Kagawa doubled United’s advantage with a neat finish, before the Japan international secured his hat-trick three minutes from time.

There was still time for a wonder strike from Wayne Rooney, who completed the scoring in the last minute.

Top scorer Robin Van Persie was take off after 66 minutes, with Tuesday’s Champions League last sixteen second leg tie with Real Madrid in mind – a game that will see Ryan Giggs make his 1,000th senior appearance after the 39 year old was not included in the match day squad at the weekend.

Elsewhere, the Express have reported that the club will battle Barcelona for the £50 million signing of Roma duo Erik Lamela and Marquinhos.

Midfielder Lamela, who has one full international cap for Argentina, has scored eleven goals in nineteen Serie A appearances this term, whilst Brazilian Marquinhos has played twenty times at the heart of Roma’s defence.