Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances

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devilish

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The only 3 reasons why Cleverley may remain at OT is because he's a young homegrown talent on an average salary. He may develop in a decent squad player (something our CM is so well stocked off at the moment) similar to Quinton Fortune if given time.

I honestly hope that he leaves. We don't need him and he may develop into a decent player at a club like Everton
 

Speak

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Ramsey's always had more talent. His problems were over-eagerness, lapses in concentration, and obviously his injury set-back.
It's debatable if Cleverley's even better (or at least 'more effective') at this stage than Aaron Ramsey was at 17/18, before the injury. He's nearly 25.

Cleverley could reach his potential here, and he still probably wouldn't be good enough.
No better than Darren Gibson.
 
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goldenstatesplash

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I don't think Cleverley has Ramsey's talent. If he could get as good as Ramsey is for Arsenal, that would be a phenomenal turn around!
Ramsay was hopeless since coming back from injury and it was plain to see. It's not as though Cleverley is at that depth at the moment. Ramsay was getting panned as not good enough left right and centre. It was Gareth Bale levels of abuse when Bale had that awful run a few years ago. It's been a phenomenal turnaround and definitely deserved.
Cleverley could reach his potential here, and he still probably wouldn't be good enough.
No better than Darren Gibson.
Lazy.
 

Nighteyes

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Cleverley is good enough for United as a squad player. The haters with their never ending stream of garbage and rewriting history with every single post on this thread can feck right off.
 

mufcwarm92

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Cleverley is miles better than he's shown this season. Definitely worth hanging on to him as an option in a 3 man midfield with more of an attacking emphasis.
 

NK86

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Ramsay was hopeless since coming back from injury and it was plain to see. It's not as though Cleverley is at that depth at the moment. Ramsay was getting panned as not good enough left right and centre. It was Gareth Bale levels of abuse when Bale had that awful run a few years ago. It's been a phenomenal turnaround and definitely deserved.
Lazy.
Before the injury, he was very good. The injury did have a massive impact on him. I have never seen Tom have the kind of impact which Ramsey has/had before and after his injury.
 

goldenstatesplash

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Before the injury, he was very good. The injury did have a massive impact on him. I have never seen Tom have the kind of impact which Ramsey has/had before and after his injury.
I am not sure if he had that 'close and hose' ability that he showed this season. He battled for the ball a lot. Cleverley tried this season to do that and wasn't all that good. I reckon that a lot of it was down to his own ability and being uncomfortable in the role but partially the system itself to blame.
 

RedOldBoy

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I was wondering if he should be given a chance as a winger. He has pace, he has supplied a few OK-ish crosses and is still relatively young. Actually Martinez used him there at Wigan.
 

Speak

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I was wondering if he should be given a chance as a winger. He has pace, he has supplied a few OK-ish crosses and is still relatively young. Actually Martinez used him there at Wigan.
He wouldn't be bad there in my opinion. Not really as a 'winger', but a wide man of sorts.

As we all know, he likes to wrap his foot around the ball, and I could imagine him being a pretty good crosser given enough opportunities.
He also wouldn't have the same issues in terms of being scared of receiving the ball, as wide men are 'allowed' to lose the ball more - which might allow him to come out of his shell.

I wouldn't want him there long term, but I don't think he'd be too bad there.
 

Becknaldolencia

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He has been completely forgotten as a player it seems, completely written off. We sure are better than this as fans with our players.

He still has a future at this club and a bright one I hope. I've always been his fan. I'm sure he will progress as a player under van Gaal.
 
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JSMHE

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I was wondering if he should be given a chance as a winger. He has pace, he has supplied a few OK-ish crosses and is still relatively young. Actually Martinez used him there at Wigan.
He's not a good dribbler and not a skillful. So I can't see him being a winger. If we want to utilise his crossing, probably put him as a right centre mid in 433 or diamond.
 

goldenstatesplash

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He has been completely forgotten as a player it seems, completely written off. We sure are better than this as fans with our players.

He still has a future at this club and a bright one I hope. I've always been his fan. I'm sure he will progress as a player and van Gaal.
Thrown in at the deep end under Moyes and told to do all the legwork for a fading Carrick who barely got forward all season. Pass and move player passing.. Then waiting as he doesn't get the ball back. I'm sure in a move fluid system we'll see a bit more from him. He's not had a good season in terms of productivity but he did play very well beside Jones for a little burst mid season.

It's the Caf, some posters would write their own testicles off to chat their shite.
 

JefferiesTube

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I don't like him. Not just because he puts in average performances but his mindset is one of "well, I did my job". He defends his lack of goals by comparing himself to Spanish midfielders. He thinks because they pass the ball backwards and sideways and keep possession, he is doing a good job if he does the same. What his brain doesn't understand is that those Spanish players don't JUST keep possession and pass the ball backwards and sideways, they are very very CREATIVE. They create MANY MANY MANY chances for teammates. Cleverley ONLY passes backwards and sideways, he creates F all. He is a completely average player and there is nothing outstanding about him whatsoever. I hope he gets sold so he can do a half ass job for some other team.
 

Annahnomoss

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Some very harsh statements in here which I disagree with. Cleverley is not a bad player by any means, if we play a high possession tactic with a DM-CM-CM triangle then I believe Cleverley would be a great squad option.

Of course not talented enough for the first team, unless something very radical happens.

He isn't good enough defensively to play as the DM or CM in a DM-DM/CM-AM triangle though so if we end up using that I would let him go.
 

limerickcitykid

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Thrown in at the deep end under Moyes and told to do all the legwork for a fading Carrick who barely got forward all season. Pass and move player passing.. Then waiting as he doesn't get the ball back. I'm sure in a move fluid system we'll see a bit more from him. He's not had a good season in terms of productivity but he did play very well beside Jones for a little burst mid season.

It's the Caf, some posters would write their own testicles off to chat their shite.
Yep it was almost impossible for him to put in a decent performance at times. Carrick would be so deep and often out left trying to cover Evra who was up the field out of position. Valencia never leaves the right touchline, Rooney didn't drop deep as much and it left Cleverley trying to cover the whole middle of the pitch by himself and is why at times he was caught running all over the place looking lost because he simply had no support and was expected to cover too much ground by himself. I'm not saying he is great but even put a much better midfielder in his role at times this season and they will look bad too.
 

Becknaldolencia

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I don't like him. Not just because he puts in average performances but his mindset is one of "well, I did my job". He defends his lack of goals by comparing himself to Spanish midfielders. He thinks because they pass the ball backwards and sideways and keep possession, he is doing a good job if he does the same. What his brain doesn't understand is that those Spanish players don't JUST keep possession and pass the ball backwards and sideways, they are very very CREATIVE. They create MANY MANY MANY chances for teammates. Cleverley ONLY passes backwards and sideways, he creates F all. He is a completely average player and there is nothing outstanding about him whatsoever. I hope he gets sold so he can do a half ass job for some other team.
You said you don't like him, but still you are being extremely harsh on the boy here.
 

Becknaldolencia

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Yep it was almost impossible for him to put in a decent performance at times. Carrick would be so deep and often out left trying to cover Evra who was up the field out of position. Valencia never leaves the right touchline, Rooney didn't drop deep as much and it left Cleverley trying to cover the whole middle of the pitch by himself and is why at times he was caught running all over the place looking lost because he simply had no support and was expected to cover too much ground by himself. I'm not saying he is great but even put a much better midfielder in his role at times this season and they will look bad too.
Yup, that game away to Olympiacos was a great example. He was literally just running after the player with the ball because nothing was happening around him. He received most of the criticism after the game, some of which was completely undeserved.
 
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Sherzad

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I hope he stays and VG uses hime effectively. He was a part off the team that won us trophies, SAF deployed hime for a certain role in our midfield and he executed that role perfectly. His pairing with Carrick almost in every game showed that he was trusted and valued.

During Moyes period not just cleverly but all off our players under performed. It's just a bit sickening to be honest, how easily we rite off a player who came through the ranks and gave us so much joy/success.
 

JefferiesTube

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You said you don't like him, but still you are being extremely harsh on the boy here.
I used to be in "Cleverley's corner". Then he gave that interview during last season. After that interview I realized that Cleverley is cut from the same cloth as David Moyes. I don't like people who genuinely believe they are doing something positive when they are not. It is no different to all the pathetic quotes Moyes came out with during his press conferences such as "I thought we played well" when we played shit. If Cleverley had a complete change in attitude and just accepted that he was average in every way last season, without making any excuses for himself, that would be the first step. Then he would need to show a desire to improve his midfield performances in all areas. Improve his contribution when we are defending AND attacking.
 

goldenstatesplash

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I used to be in "Cleverley's corner".
Then he gave that interview during last season. After that interview I realized that Cleverley is cut from the same cloth as David Moyes. I don't like people who genuinely believe they are doing something positive when they are not. It is no different to all the pathetic quotes Moyes came out with during his press conferences such as "I thought we played well" when we played shit. If Cleverley had a complete change in attitude and just accepted that he was average in every way last season, without making any excuses for himself, that would be the first step. Then he would need to show a desire to improve his midfield performances in all areas. Improve his contribution when we are defending AND attacking
Nobody cares.
 

Becknaldolencia

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I used to be in "Cleverley's corner". Then he gave that interview during last season. After that interview I realized that Cleverley is cut from the same cloth as David Moyes. I don't like people who genuinely believe they are doing something positive when they are not. It is no different to all the pathetic quotes Moyes came out with during his press conferences such as "I thought we played well" when we played shit. If Cleverley had a complete change in attitude and just accepted that he was average in every way last season, without making any excuses for himself, that would be the first step. Then he would need to show a desire to improve his midfield performances in all areas. Improve his contribution when we are defending AND attacking.
The man said it himself that he needs to improve on his defensive and creative side. He even admitted that he's having an average season.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/...leverley-says-he-has-been-average-this-season

So you think he doesn't have it in him to turn it around?
 

Sherzad

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I used to be in "Cleverley's corner". Then he gave that interview during last season. After that interview I realized that Cleverley is cut from the same cloth as David Moyes. I don't like people who genuinely believe they are doing something positive when they are not. It is no different to all the pathetic quotes Moyes came out with during his press conferences such as "I thought we played well" when we played shit. If Cleverley had a complete change in attitude and just accepted that he was average in every way last season, without making any excuses for himself, that would be the first step. Then he would need to show a desire to improve his midfield performances in all areas. Improve his contribution when we are defending AND attacking.
I think you forgot about cleverly's another interview where he said he is not type off player who will dribble pass players and smash the football in top corner.!? Google it I am sure you will find his quotes.

Nothing wrong with his interview under Moyes, he was blamed for our freak season. A team defend as a group and break for attack as a group - as Fabio Capello said, modern formation is all about 10 men behind the ball in attack and defence or something like that.

It's like if someone has a bad day - Ahhh feck cleverly.. The team lose.. Ahhh screw cleverly. Maybe we need a top manager like SAF/Van gaal who can use hime wisely and according to his strengths.
 

JefferiesTube

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The man said it himself that he needs to improve on his defensive and creative side. He even admitted that he's having an average season.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/...leverley-says-he-has-been-average-this-season

So you think he doesn't have it in him to turn it around?
There is nothing wrong with that interview. He accepts he has been average and doesn't make excuses. This interview is different.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tom-cleverley-interview-scapegoat-midfielder-3132365
 

Devil may care

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Our midfield was dire under Fergie as well, Moyes didn't make our midfield bad. Cleverley will be sold to a mid table side soon enough.
 

JefferiesTube

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I think you forgot about cleverly's another interview where he said he is not type off player who will dribble pass players and smash the football in top corner.!? Google it I am sure you will find his quotes.

Nothing wrong with his interview under Moyes, he was blamed for our freak season. A team defend as a group and break for attack as a group - as Fabio Capello said, modern formation is all about 10 men behind the ball in attack and defence or something like that.

It's like if someone has a bad day - Ahhh feck cleverly.. The team lose.. Ahhh screw cleverly. Maybe we need a top manager like SAF/Van gaal who can use hime wisely and according to his strengths.
I don't blame ANY of our players for last season. 100% of the blame is down to Moyes and his coaching staff. That is who I blame for last season, I don't have scapegoats. Moyes was cancer not a scapegoat. We were cured of cancer when we sacked Moyes. The problem with Cleverley is what he said in the interview. If a player is average but wants to improve fine. If a player is average but they believe they are playing well and are happy to carry on the same, that is not fine.
 

Becknaldolencia

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There is nothing wrong with that interview. He accepts he has been average and doesn't make excuses. This interview is different.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tom-cleverley-interview-scapegoat-midfielder-3132365
I don't know what's wrong with what he said. He said he has learned to take the criticism with a pinch of salt, acknowledges the fact that he needs to improve while saying people in the media are a bit harsh in their treatment of him.

I don't see much wrong in it, he said it hurts when he's not loved. If he says he admires the Spanish style of football what's wrong with it?
 

goldenstatesplash

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There is nothing wrong with that interview. He accepts he has been average and doesn't make excuses. This interview is different.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/tom-cleverley-interview-scapegoat-midfielder-3132365
Great analysis. Typical case of 'you're reading the mirror'. Best way to avoid these situations is to be diligent. Don't read the mirror and you won't have any problems. Interesting psychoanalytic representation of 'sheep' mentality though.
 

The Mitcher

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I don't know what's wrong with what he said. He said he has learned to take the criticism with a pinch of salt, acknowledges the fact that he needs to improve while saying people in the media are a bit harsh in their treatment of him.

I don't see much wrong in it, he said it hurts when he's not loved. If he says he admires the Spanish style of football what's wrong with it?
Its because Cleverley said it, that's why. There is often no other reason when it comes to hate on this forum.
 

tombombadil

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Well since the discussion is still going strong, I thought I'd chip in with my two pence.

I don't see Cleverley as shit. People seem to forget that he was first choice to partner Carrick when we won the league the previous season under SAF.

I see him as an above average player. His main qualities are that he has a high work rate, always opens himself up for a pass and likes to pass and move. That makes him suitable for linking up plays, creating space for better players by opening himself up for a pass and then passing the ball back or passing to other better players. He could be a sort of Henderson for us. Great for supporting better players around him. This is also his style of play. He won't be scoring 30 yard screamers all the time, he won't be dribbling past 4 defenders and he definitely won't be making blockbuster tackles. That's not the type of player he is. So the most important question is whether we are using him properly or not.

He'll thrive better if we have more movement about the team, especially in and around the opponent's box. Players moving about and making runs behind defenders. Sadly we lacked that last season and United the last few years tend not to have much dynamism or movement around the box. We've been playing a more static flat 4-4-2 for years. With LvG and his emphasis on triangles, I'm guessing he'll definitely do better than he did last season because there'll be more options for a pass and more movement. Of course I don't expect him to suddenly become a Messi, but I expect him to do well supporting our better players and being a good squad player for the team. He is a supporting player. Not the superstar.

As long as he is happy playing that supporting role, as a squad player, I'd vote to keep him and see what LvG does with him.
 

JefferiesTube

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“I watch Spanish football a lot,” Cleverley says. “If they pass the ball sideways but keep possession, the fans clap them.

“Their attitude is that as long as you have got the ball, the other team can’t hurt you.

“I know the mentality is different here and that is what makes our game the best in the world because it is so intense.

“But sometimes I have got to not listen and play my game because I feel I’m doing the best thing for the team.”


If you have the ball, the opposition cannot hurt you, that is true. What is also true is that if you have possession of the ball but do nothing with it, you are not hurting the opposition either. Simply having possession of the ball is not enough. The Spanish players keep possession and whilst in possession they are creative and hurt the opposition by having possession. Cleverley can keep possession by passing backwards and sideways but he doesn't hurt the opposition, he doesn't do anything productive with the possession. That is the massive difference. Cleverley believes that simply keeping possession is doing a good job for the team. He needs to change his mentality and want to do MORE for the team. "keeping possession" is not good enough. He should want to hurt the opposition as much as possible
 

Sherzad

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I don't blame ANY of our players for last season. 100% of the blame is down to Moyes and his coaching staff. That is who I blame for last season, I don't have scapegoats. Moyes was cancer not a scapegoat. We were cured of cancer when we sacked Moyes. The problem with Cleverley is what he said in the interview. If a player is average but wants to improve fine. If a player is average but they believe they are playing well and are happy to carry on the same, that is not fine.
Ok.
 

LR7

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The Mirror seem to reckon he could go to Arsenal as part of the Vermaelen deal. Swap deals hardly ever happen so it's probably bullshit but I'd be quite pissed off if we let Cleverley go. It seems to be quite fashionable atm to slate him and blame him for our midfield being shit but he's still a good player (who could be much better under the right manager) who is just lacking confidence and direction. Providing we get the right signings I reckon he will be a very much improved and useful squad player for is next season. I think the tempo and energy he he provides could be a good fit in van Gaal's system and hopefully he can just encourage him to take few more risks and be a bit braver both offensively and defensively.
 

Eric'sCollar

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The Mirror seem to reckon he could go to Arsenal as part of the Vermaelen deal. Swap deals hardly ever happen so it's probably bullshit but I'd be quite pissed off if we let Cleverley go. It seems to be quite fashionable atm to slate him and blame him for our midfield being shit but he's still a good player (who could be much better under the right manager) who is just lacking confidence and direction. Providing we get the right signings I reckon he will be a very much improved and useful squad player for is next season. I think the tempo and energy he he provides could be a good fit in van Gaal's system and hopefully he can just encourage him to take few more risks and be a bit braver both offensively and defensively.
Agree with most of this.
 
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