13 Aug 2013 23:48:49
Had a good debate tonight with my physio about our squad tonight, we both agreed that we are in need for some creativity but one thing we agreed on which I have a feeling many on her will disagree with is that Tom cleverly is actually a quality player, everyone talks about him just passing back or sideways well Michael Carrick our player of the year last year, did a very similar job, one thing clevs does is he gets his foot in and yes he isn't a monster of a midfielder like yaya or fellaini but he always gives us 100% and if he wasn't united quality why did he start in the vast majority of the big games last season? Many people I know had the same opinion of Darren fletcher but he and cleverly are the type of players you need in the squad because they don't complain when they aren't in the side, and when they are they give us 100% and they want to be here and I'd rather players with the commitment of cleverly than certain players. Cleverly in my opinion is underrated as a footballer due to some people's personal beliefs on here. He's never going to win a ballon d'or but for me he will be key member of our squad for years to come.

1.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverly is good squad player as you say but he is not a 1st choice midfielder. As one of the biggest clubs in the world we can expect more in our midfield than someone who just keeps the ball without creating anything. We have Carrick to do that and does it very well whilst protecting the back 4. We don't need 2 players to do that. Cleverly can't shoot, can't beat a man and is not quick enough or tricky enough to play out wide.He's a squad player at best. Moyes has confirmed this by bidding for Fabregas.

2.) 14 Aug 2013
Puts his foot in? r u havin a laugh

3.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverley is hugely overrated. Can't fathom this "love-in" some fans have with him.
Profoundly average in every department, and indicates just how limited our ambitions are if this individual represents the future of UTD's CM.

4.) 14 Aug 2013
I agree and have done for some time. Also, there is a comment in banter about Anderson saying he should go. Can I cast people's memories back to the start of the last 2 campaigns. Anderson and cleverly link up really well together and without injuries are very useful players. not saying they will play every game if we bring in others but they are definitely better together than others would like to admit. Watch them in the games before cleverly got injured by Davies of Bolton and you'll remember what I'm talking about.

5.) 14 Aug 2013
They'll not complain - cause they can't believe their luck! 100% you say, ha ha what else, seriously, do either have to offer? I too, love honest, committed players, but. Jeez!

6.) 14 Aug 2013
Lots of blubbing. Your physio must have touched a wrong nerve somwhere.

7.) 14 Aug 2013
Sorry to disagree, but just have a look at the midfield options at bayern, barca, Madrid, Chelsea, man city and even spurs.

cleverley's not even as good as their squad players never mind their first team mid fielders.

even if we bought the players they don't need we'd be much better off

for a club of utds stature, the paucity in midfield is scandalous and I for one won't be happy until it measures up to all of these clubs like it used to.

remember then? wasn't it good to watch?

8.) 14 Aug 2013
Though I agree that Cleverly and Welbeck too need to improve areas of their game both are recognised as 1st team players and England Internationals so let's give them some credit for that. Who had heard of Fellani before Moyes made him the player his today? Moyes has a good record coaching midfielders Pienaar and Cahill so I for one am looking forward to him working with Cleverley who might not be good enough for KStand but is good enough for Moyes Hodgson and the legend that is SAF

Acker

9.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverly looked a goal threat when out on loan at Wigan and he gets forward more than Carrick. I think he's a good player that could develop quickly with more 1st team opportunities. He and Anderson ran midfield for a while when they were both fit (and don't get me wrong, I'm not convinced on Anderson at all). Bidding for Fabregas is not about Cleverly not being good enough - who wouldn't want Fabregas in their midfield?! (other than barca. ) ;)

Gary

10.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverly is a good player but he has to show that through some key passes and good finishing.

Aj

11.) 14 Aug 2013
Good squad player but not good enough for our 1st eleven in my opinion and I've seen enough of his games, to me he hasn't pushed on and shown any great improvement
johndenton

12.) 14 Aug 2013
Well said, he offers energy and quick one twos, could do with honing his shooting boots but he is the perfect foil for a big game signing. People who hate him hate welbeck. I suppose they'll hate januzaij if it takes him a while to settle in. I'm proud we are not a whore of a club and love to see academy products playing for us. The people who slate are the ones who get a united shirt for Christmas every year with the current golden child on the back to wear with their shin pads and ankle tape in their "really important 5a side leagues". And "never miss a game". On match of the day.

Red5

13.) 14 Aug 2013
We were taken apart and embarrassed by Barca twice in front of the whole world in 2009 and 2011.
Despite an ageing Scholes and an unwell Fletch we stumbled on. all fans knowing we were weak in a key area. Every summer around this time the excuses start as we yet again fail to strengthen. let us hope this year we get new players in. The praise of a good but not great Cleverley is typical of fans wanting to be seen to support the club but is way off mark.
We won the league with the best squad but not the best team. Chelsea and Siddy at OT proved that!

14.) 14 Aug 2013
Great post and for one completely agree. Too many fans know very little about football in general and think unless a player scores 30 goals a season and bends free kicks in the back of the net from 30 yards then they are not good enough.
T.C. is a player that has been crafted with precision and class. He is a wonderful football who always wants the ball and is absolutely integral when it comes to keeping play ticking over and possession football. I have said before that for me he wouldn't look out of place in a Barcelona shirt and I want to reiterate that point. I believe that it is T.C. along with Kagawa that will fulfill our future midfield requirements along with one other player who we are yet to sign. It is this yet unsigned player who I see as being the issue. No idea who this is going to be but it needs to be someone of quality.
Get of Clev's back you clueless lot and start watching football through I blurred eyes ;)

Paul

15.) 14 Aug 2013
Got to agree with you here and your Physio.Cleverley is a box to box midfielder who strikes fear into the opposition. His never say die attitude mixed with his vision and ball skills makes him the envy of many of europes top clubs.His goal threat and assists have you on the end of your seat for 90 mins every match.Why United are looking at other midfielders is beyond me!!
He must rank as one of our all time great midfielders
Oh heck there goes my alarm clock got to wake up now get up.

16.) 14 Aug 2013
Wonder if Cleverly would get into Barca, Real's, Bayerns, Dortmunds, chelsea, city teams actually would he even get in arsenals first team THAT tells you how good he is

17.) 14 Aug 2013
Dead simple question
If Cleverley was put up for sale how many of Europes elite would be after him.
In fact how many premiership teams would be after him.
Come on guys smell the coffee.We are United the biggest club in the world. Is Cleverley really the answer to our midfield problems
I some how don't think so

I washed David Peggs car

18.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverly is not good enough, and never will be its as simple as that. He is ineffective in games, always looks to go sideways rather than forward, and has no quality in the final 3rd! I would be glad to see him go personally

Hughesy

19.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverley can't shoot for toffee.

20.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverley was MAN OF THE MATCH on a couple of occasions whilst on loan at Wigan, but since he`s come back he`s been very poor. As for Anderson, I think he needs another holding midfielder along side Carrick and then I think you will see him back to his best. When he first signed and before his injuries the guy was awesome. I think this season he will shine. I am in touch with people inside United who are adamant 3 players coming in.

21.) 14 Aug 2013
Too many FIFA managers on here yes Cleverley is not world class not many CM are. It took 4 years for you guys to get iff Carricks back. Remember on a cold winters day at Hull or Cardiff these prima donnas go missing and you need the likes of Cleverley

22.) 14 Aug 2013
Guys this is the rumour page, its not for my thoughts or the thoughts of some guy giving a foot rub. Is that not what the banter page is for? Where's all the rumours? Surely something is happening or someone knows what Moyes or Woodward are up to.
Stevie

23.) 14 Aug 2013
Excellent point about Carrick getting abuse for ages on here and now it's Carrick plus one other in centre mid.Cleverley is a good player who is getting better and better.How many of the haters were wanting rid of Ronaldo after his first couple of seasons?Quite a lot of you I would guess.Obviously Cleverleys not a Ronaldo but i'm just making a point, too many too quick to judge

24.) 14 Aug 2013
Anderson and Cleverley are an abortion of a partnership, we saw that against Sevilla, not even a mid table level pairing. Cleverley is tyhe modern Nicky Butt, he'll rack up a fair few appearances because there's no one challenging him. He's very average, give it a year and he'll lose his England place to any one of Hughes, Mceachran, Barkley Carroll or even Ravel who despite his attitude is light years better than Cleverley already. When they get onto the big stage CLeverley won't stand a chance, he's there because his only competition for England is 35 year old Lampard. Cleverley does a job for now, but he's nothad a positive impact and a game since that Arsenal game bar the lucky goal at Newcastle. Welbeck has the potential to be a first team starter in the future, Cleverley doesn't. When you look at the players in the teams of our title rivals Cleverley wouldn't even make the bench. It puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the team and Cleverley himself to expect us to challenge with him as a starter.

Dan

25.) 14 Aug 2013
Cleverly's problem is not anything to do with him, his problem is how fickle football fans are.

All the arguments against him above - how many of Europe's elite would've been in for Phil Neville, Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Nicky Butt, Park, Brian McClair, etc? That argument is flawed on so many levels. You can't have 23 world class players, you have to get the balance right and we've done that well for the last 20 years.

Cleverley is a very good squad player, and it's that depth which keeps the first XI on their toes and helps us perform on a number of fronts.

He doesn't score 30 goals a season, and he can't dribble past 8 players then curl one into the top corner from 40 yards with the outside of his bell end, but he offers value in depth and you shouldn't underestimate just how important players such as Cleverley are to the squad and first XI, whether they start or not.

26.) 14 Aug 2013
To point out that Cleverly was man of the match a few times while on loan at Wigan is a VERY poor argument!
A half decent player can look class at a small team, yet at a big club they look lost. Many players are like this, Robbie Keane, Dempsey, Carroll, Berba, Downing, Henderson, Modric. The list goes on.
Yes him and Welbeck have come through, but are they really that good? We had the golden generation, then Pique and Rossi. ALL world class players!
Cleverly and Welbeck are on borrowed time, they are not the future

Melwing28

27.) 14 Aug 2013
Forgot to sign above.

Wazza

28.) 14 Aug 2013
My post isn't hailing him as a world class player or someone who would walk into the Barca side, what I'm trying to say is so many fans are caught up with flair players yet don't realise the importance of SQUAD players, do you think if we signed sneijder he would have stood up to stoke on a wet Wednesday night at the britania? No. Players like cleverly out of passion will do their utmost best, this is why for me berba didn't make it here, because if he had the commitment of a welbeck or cleverly to go with his undoubted talent he would have been one of the best players in the world. It astounds me how so many people on here only look at the players like van Persie and Rooney, the stand out names yet football is a squad game, you can have 11 world class players but that doesn't mean they will work together you need to have a balance, which is why players like Darren fletcher, Phil Neville, John o'shea and cleverly were so greatly appreciated by the club.

29.) 14 Aug 2013
If Tom (Mr Average) Cleverley was put up for sale, no EPL team that finished in the top 7 league would bid. It would be Stoke, West ham or Palace for him at 10 million max. It's unfair to compare him to Danny W though. Danny can beat a man, has pace and strength, passes a good ball and has a reasonable first touch. There only similarity is they both can't score. It's silly to compare him to the better midfielders in the EPL let alone at team such as Bayern, Barcelona, Real, Dortmund etc. We desperately need two midfielders, I'm surprised that Fellaini isn't at OT already! I would rather Cabaye then Modric but at this point would be happy with either.
Mik

30.) 14 Aug 2013
Your having a laugh, Cleverley is hopeless and I would sell him in a heartbeat.

31.) 14 Aug 2013
We don't want all world class players but we want a first team. Right now we have too many squad players and not enough first team players. The issue I and I think most others have is not that Cleverley is here, he's welcome as a squad player, but he shouldn't be a first team starter. Perhaps if we had better squad players than O'Shea, Brown etc then we would have won more than 2 Cls in the last 15 years. With players like Scholes, Giggs etc they should have more than 2 CLs to their name. The Cleverley Carrick comparisons are ludicrous, Cleverely plays in front of Carrick, a player in that position is suposed to be our creative fulcrum but he offers nothing their. Carricks sideways passing is to keep the ball, calm down the game etc but Cleverley does it because he doesn't have the vision or ability to open up the game. We need a top quality midfield partner for Carrick.

Dan

Dan

32.) 14 Aug 2013
Its Only Carrick,,, you Know,,,,,

33.) 14 Aug 2013
Our midfield is the team problem.It is there for anyone to see.Please before saying we have good central midfielders watch a few matches with the rose tinted specs removed.When Giggs is still playing there that gives a clue as to how bad we are.Not to mention the desperate return of Scholes because we could not pass a ball if our lives depended on it.

34.) 14 Aug 2013
First off having problems logging in.

Cleverley will never be anything other than a squad member and will eventually be shipped out to a club that's more his level like Darren Gibson was. It shows how poor England are that he gets in the team.

Sydneys sweaty jockstrap

35.) 14 Aug 2013
Man Darren Gibson was better than Anderson and Cleverly put together and we let him go

36.) 15 Aug 2013
For Stevie Yes this is a rumours page and the rumour was that we had a good midfield.Sadly it is not true and remains just a rumour.