Tom Cleverley hopes to make Manchester United breakthrough next season (From Watford Observer)
Tom Cleverley hopes to make Manchester United breakthrough next season
10:45am Monday 15th March 2010
Tom Cleverley is hoping his performances at Watford will earn him a place in the Manchester United first team next season.
The 20-year-old has had a huge impact during his loan spell at Vicarage Road and after time at Leicester City last season, the creative midfielder believes he is ready to make his mark at United.
He said: “Yes I definitely want to be part of the squad next season, that is every young players ambition at Manchester United. I feel I am doing well out on loan and I am doing as much as I can do to push for that place next season.”
Cleverley set a target of scoring ten goals this campaign when he arrived in August and reached double figures at the beginning of February, although he has been unable to add to that tally due to injury and suspension.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has set Cleverley a new goal target.
Speaking before Saturday's defeat to Peterborough, Cleverley said: “It will be tough to reach now I have missed five out of the last six games for Watford but I think I can still do it.”
When asked what Sir Alex's target was, the England Under-21 international replied: “I’ll tell you at the end of the season and whether I reached it.”
United assistant Reserve team manager Warren Joyce speaks regularly with Cleverley and comes to watch him two or three times a month.
Sir Alex invited Cleverley to join up with the first team squad when United played Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium at the end of January.
Cleverley said: “Warren Joyce comes and watches me two or three times a month so it is very good that Sir Alex will here how I am playing and getting dvds of my matches.
“They are always in contact and I think it is well-documented that I got invited to the Arsenal match to watch the first team there and that is when I saw Sir Alex and he had a quick word with me.
“As much as I am enjoying my time at Watford, I still want to show my face around Manchester United. It was a great day and the performance from United was an added bonus so I was really happy with the day.
“I got to speak to a lot of people and received advice off a lot of people which will help me for the rest of the season.”
Cleverley returned to the Watford line-up on Saturday after missing the three previous games through suspension and he is determined to learn from his first red card against Scunthorpe United.
Cleverley said: “It was a rush of blood to the head that I have to learn from. When I over-run the ball or mis-control the ball I cannot be reckless winning it back.
“If it is there to be won then I will win it, if it is not then I need to be more careful. It is a learning curve and I will learn from that.”
Cleverley is a Manchester United Academy graduate and was part of the promotion-winning Leicester City squad during his loan spell last season.
So the midfielder admits the end to Watford's season will be a new experience for him.
“I think that is what loan spells are all about, players learning different things,” Cleverley said.
“The last few years at Manchester United I have been involved with teams that are winning every week and it was the same at Leicester last season.
“This has been a new kettle of fish for me but it is a challenge that I am thoroughly enjoying.”
Comical, wasn't it?