Manchester United boss David Moyes will give midfielder Shinji Kagawa until the January transfer window to prove himself.

The Japan international impressed in the 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, as he was played in his preferred position of the ‘hole’ behind lone striker Wayne Rooney.

He has often been pushed to the left to accommodate Rooney and Robin van Persie, though there have been times when Moyes has simply dropped the 24-year-old altogether.

However, following his performance in midweek, SportsDirect News can reveal Moyes is willing to give Kagawa a chance to prove his worth before deciding to make alterations in the winter transfer window.

United have been extensively linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Marco Reus, with reports claiming Kagawa could head the other way as part of a swap deal.

But no such decision has yet been taken and Moyes was impressed with Kagawa’s determination in Germany, meaning he is set to remain in the starting XI for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs were trounced 6-0 by Manchester City last weekend but head into the game on the back of a 2-0 Europa League win over Tromso in Norway.