JAPANESE star Shinji Kagawa was a victim of the managerial turmoil at Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has claimed.

But he is delighted to have the midfielder back in his team and will give him a key role in tonight's Champions League clash with Arsenal.

Louis van Gaal sold Kagawa back to Borussia this summer after two poor seasons at Old Trafford. United accepted a fee of only half the £12million they had paid for him in 2012.

And the fans' favourite inspired his team to a 3-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday.

"His first season at United was the last one of Sir Alex Ferguson, so that isn't the time to develop players," Klopp said. "At that stage you only want results and titles.

"His second year was the first of the new coach, Moyes, so that was also all about results. Then there was a third manager, Van Gaal, with a very successful philosophy.

"We saw the chance to sign Kagawa and took it. He was sensational against Freiburg."

Dortmund open their Group D campaign at home to Arsenal, who Klopp is backing to be a success this season.

"Arsenal have new players like Alexis Sanchez," he said. "When you look at their squad they have a lot of alternatives.

"Arsenal did a great job on transfers this summer.

"Now their squad has great stability and they're able to play the type of football that Arsene Wenger wants to see."

Brendan Rodgers has vowed to treat Champions League outsiders Ludogorets with the utmost respect tonight when the Bulgarian side make their debut in the competition at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager insisted: "We'll respect them like we would if we were playing Real Madrid."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said their home match against Basel will be a chance for the holders to put a poor start to their season behind them.

Real have lost two of their first three matches in La Liga.

Ancelotti said: "The same happened last year. This match comes at the right time for us."