Could Tom be Clever-ley used at Old Trafford next season?- (sorry)
Watching Jack Wilshere usurp Gareth Bale as the ‘greatest player in the history of association football,’ against Barcelona at the Emirates last night, I couldn’t help but be a tad jealous of the Gooners.
Wilshere was a contender for man of the match and the fact he’s only 19 years-old means he has a very bright future ahead of him, one that may or may not be at Arsenal.
Whilst watching Wilshere, put in a performance that by rights no teenager should be putting in against the ‘unofficial’ world’s best team, it dawned on me that despite his youth his apprenticeship has already been well served.
Wilshere was given the chance to mature at Bolton last season, where he excelled for Owen Coyle’s side and got used to not only the pressure but also the pace and physical nature of top flight football, which no amount of reserve games can truly prepare you for.
I couldn’t help but think of United’s very own Tom Cleverley, currently enjoying a tough loan spell at relegation candidates, Wigan. When I say tough, I’m certainly not inferring Cleverley has found the going tough, as he’s been one of the Latics few bright sparks in a typically difficult season. Cleverley recently returned from a one month lay out to come off the bench against both Blackburn and Liverpool. In both games he showed Roberto Martinez exactly what he’s been missing, tightening things up against Blackburn and showing his attacking abilities in the game against ‘King Kenny’s rejuvenated Liverpool’ side.
With Wigan’s next game being against United it’s not going to be until March when the youngster will get his chance to face ‘former’ title challengers, the massivest club in the world- Manchester City.
Regardless of how long before Cleverley next plays, there can be no denying his time at the DW has been a huge success and three goals plus an assist in only ten starts-plus five more as sub- is not to be sniffed at.
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Last season Cleverly went on loan to Watford where he scored 11 goals in 33 games and was the club’s player of the season. This season Cleverley’s shown his worth to the Wigan side, and his game seems to have progressed as not only as he made the step up from Championship to Premier League but also that he is more than just an attacking midfielder.
He’s been used in several positions and has shown that he’s not afraid to get stuck in and mix it up a bit, just like his more famous Arsenal counterpart.
Although, Wilshere is two years younger than Cleverley and has arguably progressed a lot quicker, by giving him a run in the side- he’s played all but three EPL games for the Gunners this season- Wenger is now reaping the benefits.
Cleverley and Wilshere have played for the England Under 21’s together and both were tipped for a bright future. Wilshere’s ascendancy has been nothing short of meteoric going from the U-21’s to the England first team in a matter of months. While he was originally thought of as an attacking midfielder, Wilshere now plays in a much more deeper lying role- even causing Fabio Capello to come out with the ridiculous statement that he could be England’s Claude Makelele.
The reason I find that statement ridiculous is that not only was Makelele arguably the best defensive midfielder in the CL era but also Wilshere’s use in that position is far from assured. There’s still a chance he could be used as a more box to box type.
Cleverley seems to prosper best as an attacking midfielder but his ability to get stuck in and his energy, makes me think he could be used, like Wilshere in a deeper lying role, or perhaps even just as an orthodox CM- remember they do still exist.
With United crying out for a successor to Scholes, even if he doesn’t retire at the end of the season, Cleverley could fulfill that role, if given the chance. There’s no secret that Sir Alex has money to spend in the Summer and the smart money seems to be on a midfielder joining United, but as the manager has always stated he isn’t prepared to spend over the odds on any new recruits. There aren’t too many world-class midfielders available unless you’re willing to pay a large amount, especially on the continent. It comes as no surprise that names such as Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have been linked with a move to Old Trafford as although they won’t be cheap, neither should be over the £20 million mark.
This season United’s two biggest surprises have been Chicharito and Smalling, who’ve shown that youth and inexperience are irrelevant if you’ve got an abundance of talent and a mature attitude.
Jack Wilshere has shown the world what a supremely talented young player, who’s served his apprenticeship can do at the highest level. The question I’ve got is why can’t Cleverley do the same for United next season?
In my opinion, given the chance he can.
Follow Redflagflyinghigh on twitter @RFFH and the writer of this article @jaymotty
Thanks for the comments, I think some people may have misread what I stated in the article.
As Chudi points out, I’m not claiming Cleverley is better than Wilshere, I actually stated that the Arsenal man has progressed quicker. My point is made clear in the title- could Cleverley be United’s Jack Wilhsere? i.e can he too break into the first-team and become one of our most important players, the way Wilshere as at Arsenal?
I believe he can, and only hope he’s given the chance.
Justin,i believe tom can do the job for man utd if he is given the chance to play with better players weeek in week out that will improve is game a lot and save man utd millions,he’s a vary good player just like Wilhsere.
Hey Manutd1! Stop talking out of your a** and embarassing other united fans! Being logical and fair is not the same as kissing ass. We love our players and will always back them to the end but that does not mean turning a blind eye to footballing logic. Ando has a lot of talent but he hasn’t proved jack s*** yet. I think Cleverly has more in his bag than Carrick provided he gets more games with us. Did you see the keep ball Modric played in the Milan game? Again I am not putting down our players but you have to give credit where it’s due! There’s no need to bad mouth people who have a different opinion to yours.
Thank you Elvido,
ManUtd1 is the worst kind of football fan and definitely embarassing you Utd fans. Most of this column is a sensible and serious post – ruined by some smart alec who is not on this planet.
….and as for the comment about Wilshere being in London!! Get real.
carrick fletcher chikashito Anderson, these players are poor man. And oshea to he shit. Wilshere is better than most of your team and you guys know it.. And he’s only 19 and in he’s first year in Prem. Be sceard you northen monkeys
if he really that good,then why he can’t help your beloved Arsenal to win Carling Cup??and if our players is worst than him,how can we won 3 EPL title in a row??stupid!
A United fan here and I really hope Cleverly does blossom into a top class player. We need it in midfield, an area where United have been weak since Keane left…Lets face it Scholes and Giggs are world class players, but given the choice we would all take the Scholes and Giggs of 10 years ago over the 36/7 year olds we have now. Fletcher always gives 100% and is effective, Anderson has potential but is inconsistent and Carrick is sublime but never really dominates. With the Keane/Scholes/Becks/Giggs midfield United could play 4-4-2 against anyone and dominate midfield. Now we are forced to play 4-5-1 (droppong Berba) in case we are over-run in midfield….Did a midfield with Keane in it every get over-run??? Not often..United have a good midfield at the moment, but we are kidding ourselves if we think that it’s the best in the PL..the team of the season used to be dominated by United midfielders, Nani might make it this year, but no-one else!
If Cleverly can mature into a starting midfielder then that would be brilliant, but we do need him to be World Class.
As for Wilshire – looks a great talent and has a bright future. But yet again we in the UK over rate our players after a few good games and not after consistently performing over a number of seasons. Is it any wonder many of our young “superstars” never kick on? they think 1 good game means they have made it and don’t improve.
I do hope Wilshire becomes world class, for the sake of English football, but to put him in that bracket now? Please…Give him 3 or 4 seasons playing at the very top level, then judge…
Comparing the two (I know, not the point of the arguement) you would have to say at the moment Wilshire is a better player, he is playing 1st team football for Arsenal in the champions league! Cleverly MAY turn out the better player, but at this stage Wilshire is ahead, even the most bias red can see that…
afc – an embarrassment to all Arsenal fans, Wilshere is not better than anny United player so grow a pair and face reailty. Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson ad Chicharito poor? what a fantasy land you live in. Chicharito is the superstar of Mexico, quickly becoming one of the worlds best players and is better than your entire squad and thats a fact. Wilshere is shit, a skinny little diving cheating con artist with no real ability and your just to blind to see it becaue he temporarily on your books.
You really are a prize muppet
Be like Wilshere, eh hello earth to pluto….Cleverley is miles better then the average little twit of Arsenal, Cleverley is englands talismatic future and the next superstar of Old Trafford.
When Wilshere somewhere in the lower leagues, Cleverely will b a league champion, a eurpoean cup winner, one of the very best.
Adgeyb, yes you are a deluded gooner muppet aint ya, just grow up and face reality for once,that goes for all Arsenal “fans” commenting here with your bitter crap.
afc, you are indeed an embarassment to other gooners. Utd have some great players and if Wilshire can reach the level of Giggs and Scholes in years to come I’ll be happy enough. But come on, Cleverly is not at Wilshire’s level at the moment. Jack gave Xavi and Iniesta a real run for their money the other night, eclipsing even Fabregas. Believe the hype. He is that good, and would have to be for Wenger to be playing him week in week out.
Wilshire is good, but Cleverely will be a better palyer…. Wilshire may have the limelight and hype right now after a few good performance but Fergie is harvesting Cleverely potential and waiting for the right moment to unleash him, hopefully soon. I have complete trust in him so when he eventually unleash Cleverely the rest better prepare………
Wilshere is unbelievably overrated, look at his videos and you’ll see he has acres of space every time he is on the ball because he is in his own half. He only has one range of passing which is to pass sideways, he never makes long balls and he can’t shoot. Against Barcelona in the first leg, Xavi and Iniesta really didn’t need to do much to stop him because he is in his own half. He defenitely doesn’t have the ability to pentrenate defences. He is not the next big English thing!
And this is coming from a Liverpool fan