Will Tom Cleverley play today?
In an age when 18 year olds can command seven figure sums and even a 21 year-old can be considered past his best, it’s almost a rarity to see a player develop from almost not good enough to make it, to the brink of the England set up.
That’s exactly what happened with a certain Thomas William Cleverley, born in Basingstoke 22 years ago. After joining Bradford City’s academy he left to come to United at the age of 15. It wasn’t all plain sailing for the young midfielder however, as at the age of 16 when his team mates were given scholarships, Cleverley was put on a different scheme where he was asked to split his time between United and school, mainly because the club weren’t fully confident he’d make it.
Cleverley, who even now isn’t the tallest player, was a lot smaller than the other youngsters and has admitted it was hard for him at the time due to his size. They say the cream always rises though- regardless of size- and sure enough Cleverley managed to earn himself a place in United’s under 18 side in the 2005/06 season. The following season though, Cleverley suffered an injury that saw him ruled out for seven months, at a time when he’d also made an impression on the reserve side.
Never one to be knocked without getting back up, Cleverley emerged in the 2007/08 season as a reserve team player to take notice of and was subsequently ‘rewarded’ the following season with a loan spell at League One Leicester- after he’d made his United debut during the club’s tour of South Africa, bagging a goal against the Indie band Kaizer Chiefs who were too busy singing to mark him properly.
It was at The Walkers Stadium that the nineteen year old Cleverley began to show the world what he was capable of with two goals and three assists in ten starts not to be sniffed at, unfortunately a shoulder inury shortened his loan spell although he did receive a League One winner’s medal.
Next season would hold the real test for Cleverley has he was thrown into the firepit that is the Championship with stuggling Watford. Cleverley didn’t so much survive as positively shine with a series of impressive displays plus eleven goals and five assists proving he was more than equipped for the tough physicality of one of footballs toughest leagues.
Cleverley himself noted in an interview last season:
“The hostility of places like Millwall and Leeds toughens you up,”
“I went from a boy to a man in the Championship.”
The Watford fans certainly agreed making him their player of the season.
Many Reds, myself included thought Cleverley had done enough to earn himself a place in United’s squad, not least after his superb displays in the clubs US tour of 2010 bagging two goals in the process.
Like much of Cleverley’s career it wasn’t going to be that easy and he’d have to spend another season on loan, this time at Premiership Wigan. At the time, I commented that hopefully Wigan could do for Cleverley what Bolton did for Jack Wilshere, in giving him a taste of Premier League football at a struggling club where he’d be one of the side’s key midfielders.
Cleverley did what he’s always done, rising to the occasion and despite an injury mid-season which kept him out for a couple of months, he played a vital part in keeping the Pie Eaters in the top flight, bagging three goals and two assists but more importantly giving them a real bit of class in the centre of the park, or out wide, depending on where he was deployed.
In the Summer Cleverley played twice for the England in the European Championships before coming on in the second half of the Community Shield and having an ‘absolute worldy’ as United came from 2-0 down to beat City 3-2.
Cleverley’s United Premier League debut against West Brom saw another impressive display and Reds with banner’s declaring ‘who needs Sneijder we’ve got Cleverley’
Many Reds actually believe United don’t need to pursue Sneijder, or Nasri for that matter due to the quality that Cleverley has shown, an opinion I’ve shared for many months.
Sir Alex Ferguson has already praised Cleverley and indicated his faith in him, not bad for lad once told to stay in school as he might not make it in the professional game.
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We don’t NEED Sneijder, Cleverley has shown he’s more then talented enough and deserves a shot! Though if we did sign Sneijder who wouldn’t say no? Could only be a positive thing having him around the dressing room and on the training pitch..
Saw the Guardian chalkboard of Tom’s passing: all positive basically and 91 per cent accurate! The way he was waltzing past West Brom players was insane. He’s so good under pressure its unreal. Against Barca’s pressing game at Wembley we would’ve loved to have a player like Cleverley who is confident on the ball under pressure. This lad has a big future ahead of him.
he’s very impressive and plays with a confidence and composure way beyond his years, have we unearthed another gem? ikeep it up tc
people need to calm down ffs…there was nothing impressive against west brom..i have a feeling that out fans can’t wait for a player to go through a single match without fucking it up to be considered impressive display—tiago’s display against real was impressive while cleverley did fine
Agreed. Tom is a good player but he isn’t the big CM we were all hoping for this season. We still need to buy!
He’s got prospect but no disrespect to his attitude & skills,I doubt he’s gonna have what it takes to be depended on throughout the whole season.In the game against West Brom,I observed we didn’t use a DM which most of the time left our midfield empty & defense opened.If it were a Chelsea or even spurs side on Sun,we would most likely be beaten.
Cleverley is good but needs to be introduced gradually bcuz he’s not playing his game yet!He’s not controlling d play,immediately u give d ball to him,he looks for d closest team mate to pass to.That leaves us a question,are we using our 1st team to build Cleverley?He should be playing our F.A & Carling Cup not league now.We need a CM of United class to win more trophies…not even carrick.Stop deceiving urself by saying Carrick played in our successful Midfield last season,remember that our other contenders had their problems.It was made obvious in Champs League Final against Barca!
We still need a proving CM midfielder!
true…good post…even carrick plays it to the closest man so i’d rather have tom in the team
I agree, we still need an experienced CM, andersons not improving, giggs is gonna retire soon, carrick is AWFUL, he has one decent pass now and again and everyone thinks he’s great, HE’S NOT. Watch the fa cup again and see who gives the ball to yaya toure. Sneijder would be a great buy and I just don’t see why fergie doesn’t want him. He paid 30 mill for that rubbish bulgarian, why not pay the extra 5 for a world class player. Silly not to. How many big names have come to united over the last few years – None. And now one does, fergie let’s him slip away. Not often I find myself questioning fergie but…..wtf is going like. Madness not to buy him.
We should not over-hype Cleverley. He’s got quality but still needs time to perform consistently at the highest level before showering this sort of praises on him. We need him to keep his feet on ground. Getting Sneijder will add quality and class to our midfield and Cleverley will definitely learn a lot from him.
So if we get Sneijer and he remains healthy, how many big games do you think Cleverley will play in the next 4 years? True, Sneijder would offer a lot, but that would leave our own academy player out of the mix for quite sometime and possibly not reaching his full potential. He’ll learn a lot more from actually playing than watching Sneijder play from a distance.
fuck off you mongs. go and support city if you dont like giving our youth players a chance and would rather play football manager. spoilt bunch of cunts.
now where did you get that crap from
Clevearly good but not enough for us we need exp cm like sneijder,bastian shuenstiger,modric,etc .saf he must bid for mildfelder soön as possible before ogst 31.
Dont need Sneijder not matter what the short termers think, Tom Cleverley is the real deal and will bring a lot more than Sneijder ever could…plus Tom plays for the game and United whiles Weslwey is a money man. We do not need Sneidjer or any other MF as Tom is the real deal and I cant wait for Chicharito to return so the two can play together, now thats a dream come true.