Looking back through this thread it seems like some people had absurd expectations for Cleverley. He was never going to be a brilliant player, he just doesn't have that level in him. Right now he's a above average player who could become a very good player if he progresses. It's not his fault we need more than that in our 1st team. What did people actually expect from him?
Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances
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I think he's going to be a fantastic player, personally. Spectacular? No chance, but he already plays with his head which is a lot more than you can say for most midfielders his age who tend to get by on physical attributes. He just needs to keep progressing and with time and confidence he'll be more assertive and have more of an impact on the game.
Your post is spot on. That high pressing that Cleverley does though ends up being a waste because pressing doesn't work unless its done in numbers. Clev doing it on his own, and he does, means he ends up running ragged chasing the ball and abandoning his position so he wastes energy and is out of position defensively. He would look so much better in a team that played that high tempo, high pressing game collectively, but we don't.
Also I think some of Cleverley's better games last season came with Kagawa in the team because they both have good off the ball movement (when we are in possession) and linked up well.
I think confidence is an issue for Cleverley, he tends to attempt a couple of riskier passes and when they don't come off he reverts to playing it safe all the time and barely attempts the penetrative pass thereafter. I hope one day he has a game where he gets 75% possession but ends up with a couple of assists and MOTM and it makes him realise possession isn't the be all and end all.
I love what he brings to the team though in regard to his passing and moving, he's far less static and doesnt dwell on the ball for ages before deciding what to do with it like some of our other players and gives us a good tempo, I just think that he needs to add that risky pass and he'll be fine because against Chelsea he showed that he can do the defensive bit.
I agree that he plays best with Kagawa as they both play with the same style, which is why neither has been a success so far.
Confidence is definitely a problem for him like you say. But I don't get peoples desire to see Cleverley get more creative. He has already shown that playing with the players who suit him, he can cut through the opponents strikers/midfields together with Kagawa with ease. That already shows that he is creative, but in his way. If you put him next to a play who will pass then move into space - Clevs will be creative.
If anything what people are really upset with is that Cleverley isn't good enough to play in any lineup, because to me Clevs is suffering the same fate as Kagawa. Carrick-Valencia-Rooney are all extremely direct players who want to move the ball forward as much as possible with every single pass.
That is why Kagawa and Cleverley look a bit lost when playing in our team, because the style of the team is long balls to one wing-to Rooney/RVP. Which doesn't suit them at all.
I don't agree with that. We use our flanks a lot but we play passing football to get the ball out there. I don't think we play long balls to the wing, even less so without Scholesy there to spray diagonals. If anything I think it's the slow build up and reduced movement up-front (because when the build up is slow the opposition have ample time to get 10 men organised behind the ball so there is less space to run into) that hinders them.
I think it's stupid to write Cleverley off, but he does need to add the ability to slice through teams or ping one over the top, which he doesn't do nearly enough. Under Moyes its clear to me that Carrick has been told to stay back which means he's not starting off our attacks like he used to and because Cleverley lacks that penetration we're missing the creative element in midfield. Carrick was doing the defending and creating in CM last season.
I also don't think Kagawa's issues are the same as Cleverley, we all know Kagawa is creative and isn't afraid to play the risky pass that can create a goal scoring chance, he just hasn't imposed himself on games enough for me but that might be confidence or adapting to our slower build-up too.
Agree about our play to the wings. And we need a player like Kagawa obviously to get most of our wings. Intelligent players like wellbeck, Nani and Valencia will know that some of their runs onto space will be noticed by someone who can put the right pass and they will do it more often, as for the 1-2 and quick passing in short spaces. Ronney is not creative enough. Cleverley as well might benefit from playing with Kagawa, when he got minutes. We won't see as much now.
I don't really want to see Cleverley marginalised for United but cant see Moyes going for a CM three of Cleverley, Fellaini and Carrick very often.
He'l get plenty of games considering how many we play. We wont see much of that midfield 3 at the same time though.
Not enough creativity in that midfield three, simply enough. I'd rather a "midfield three" with Kagawa or Rooney in a slightly deeper role.
I agree which is why I said I doubt we would see it much, and I can't see much more of Cleverley in a midfield two if Fellaini and Carrick are the more 'solid' pairing everyone predicts will be used, which is why I cant really see where he will get many games.
Between the PL, the CL, The Capital Cup and the F.A cup, I'm sure he'll get plenty of gametime regardless of what kind of partnership Carrick and Fellaini form.
I like Cleverley, for more than just a bit-part role. I realise that I'm probably in the minority with that view though. I suppose wherever he gets his games now he will really have to impress if he wants to keep his place and be a first team regular. The added competition might bring out the best in him, hopefully.
He'll definitely get games, he's our third choice midfielder and I expect it to stay that way. Carrick is 32 now so I don't think he should be playing every single game now this season and I reckon he'll be rested for Cleverley. I'd say, barring injuries, Fellaini will be playing 40-50 games.
I still can't imagine Fellaini in our midfield!
He'll surprise a lot of people even our own supporters, but what will surprise most will be the way that the side holds it shape a lot better with a natural ball winner in there alongside Carrick (should they start together). It should give the front attacking 4 much more license to attack and be creative in the final 3rd.
I'm actually quite excited to see how we play with a solid midfield.
With his simple short passing game he could be a perfect foil to Carrick, allowing him to be more creative.
Yep, should give the front 4 a lot of freedom and allow us to play our best attacking wide players rather than ones that add more solidity.
It'll give us a good foundation for them to play, like I said in another thread, its more about winning the battle in midfield which gives you possession which in turn forces the opposition to sacrifice a player from a wider or deeper position which is where you then exploit. Too many teams have held shape too comfortably against us and have been able to double up on our wingers and forwards.
The second thing it should do is allow us to invite pressure and in turn open up space to exploit, being comfortable enough to let the opposition into your own half is a key factor in a counter attacking team.
Having a ball winner there will certainly help us get possession back which is something we sorely lack, way too often we just fall back and wait for our CBs to sort it out close to the D. Winning the ball nice and early higher up the pitch could lead to lot of quick goals with the right personnel.
Really, its been a while since we had a solid middle 2, it'll be good to see if we play a proper attacking front 4.
Agree with that - having a ball winner in midfield is useful, especially in Europe. Its no coincidence for me that the vast majority of top European sides have a player like that in the middle of the park.
Fellaini will make us more solid, and should allow Carrick to dictate play a bit more often and get the ball in more advanced positions.
Cleverley needed the competition. Can't remember who said it, but they summed it up nicely when they said Cleverley basically has to turn up to play. He's now in a position where he has to elevate his game. He has the capacity to play less within himself; I hope he proves it.
Underrated. Our best player in the second half? He was involved a lot.
yeah was quite good when he came on.
He's technically good, that's why he looked an improvement on anything else we had out there.
Wasn't really the inspiring sub we needed unlike a Nani or Hernandez who can change games. But he was more effective than Fellaini or Carrick
Thought he played alright when he came on. Should get the nod in the next game.
Only positive today, and I really mean it, nothing positive anymore, so fair play to Clev.
We technically won 1-0 with Cleverley on the pitch. 
He was what we needed, another body in midfield and someone who was able to pass to a team mate. Maybe the Fellaini signing has fired him up to get back in the team. Should start against Liverpool for sure.
Agree. Amazing how much better we look with a midfield player who simply does the basics e.g. keep the ball, pass and move.
My thoughts too. The extra competition must surely be good for him. He can't coast through games any more, he has to make his mark on it. Fellaini offers presence but Cleverley's technical ability is made for games like this. He simply is a better option at retaining possession and using it under pressure.
Yep, fair play to Cleverley.
Still don't like him. Looking half decent out there, would not have been difficult.
We did better with the midfield 3, partly because our luxury premium Belgian was moved forward away from our goal and had some impact further up the pitch.
He always plays well against City, doesn't he?
Moyes should look at playing a midfield three of Carrick, Fellaini and Cleverley in the big games, if we're outnumbered in midfield.
Moyes should look at playing a midfield three of Carrick, Fellaini and Cleverley in the big games, if we're outnumbered in midfield.
Definitely our best player in the second half. Made 55 passes (95% successful) in his short time on the pitch.
The things he's good at, mainly passing and moving and setting our tempo are underrated on here. He was positive in his play too and tried to push us forward as much as he could. Showed how important it is to gave someone like him in midfield. We finally started keeping hold of the ball.
Everyone else had played three games in a week whilst Cleverley was fresh, and it showed. He should only be left out for someone who is an upgrade on him. Despite the fee, Fellaini isn't.
The things he's good at, mainly passing and moving and setting our tempo are underrated on here. He was positive in his play too and tried to push us forward as much as he could. Showed how important it is to gave someone like him in midfield. We finally started keeping hold of the ball.
Everyone else had played three games in a week whilst Cleverley was fresh, and it showed. He should only be left out for someone who is an upgrade on him. Despite the fee, Fellaini isn't.
Hard to really judge because City were on autopilot by the time he came on as the game was won.
It's simple.
He moved up and down the pitch. Passed the ball, at times forward, without dallying. And moved again.
He moved up and down the pitch. Passed the ball, at times forward, without dallying. And moved again.
His mobility was ten times more than most of our other players. Ran with the ball a few times, which he used to do a lot more before the injury. Added some much needed tempo to our game with quick passes.
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