Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances

[Beachryan]

The single biggest reason our football is crap this year is because we no longer believe in one touch passing for some reason. Every single player seems desperate to take a touch, steady himself and then look up to pass. It's shocking watching us for a few matches, then watching almost every other decent team in the premier league. Even their defenders are able to play a pass without taking a touch. We've abandoned it.

 

[Carl]

I'll start by saying that Cleverley has been shit this season but I also don't like the way he's been scapegoated by a lot of the fans. Basically Moyes has been as good as forced to play him game after game after game after game and you can see he's absolutely exhausted.

This all, once again, comes back to long standing problems with midfield that haven't been addressed for years. Also, another problem that I've gone on about for a while is the movement off the ball by our players is abysmal. They all either stand still, run away or do both whilst pointing to another player that should be passed to instead. This is why our tempo is so slow.

 

[Sixpence]

This very much.

Can someone please tell me what his best attribute is?

Standing still in his own half while Evans runs past him with the ball because he knows if he gives it to Cleverley the idiot will give it him straight back.

 

[MDFC Manager]

It really doesn't bother me that much he's not very good. What does get on my fecking nerves is that when he gets dispossessed he simply stands there throwing his arms in the air looking at the referee while the other team pushes through the inexistent midfield.

 

[Plugsy]

All you have to do is compare him to other players around or younger than 24 at other top clubs here and on the continent to see how he lacks. You don't even need to leave the dressing room to identify at least four players who he fails to measure up to in terms of quality for his age. And four may be being generous to him. Although their positions are different I'd say Januzaj, De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Smalling (having issues now, I know but still) are all probably well in advance of him. Some may wish to throw Welbeck's name out there too.

There's a difference between expecting the world and having the minimum standard that a young player would at least look competent at this level. He should't get a free pass because of his developmental background. The standards should be the same for any United player, regardless of where they come from. Okay if he was a teen in his rookie season you'd happily make exceptions, and we all do under those circumstance. But he wasn't farmed out to two decent Championship sides then a Premier League team and then three years as a semi-regular player for United to reach the age of 24 and look like someone no further ahead in terms of his development than a 17 year old with next to no first team experience whatsoever.

I'm tremendously disappointed with the player he is after hearing for years what potential he had. Even though I've not invested money directly in his development, I do feel a bit like a parent who has paid £50,000 a term private tuition for my child for the last few years only to have him turn around and tell me he wants to become a receptionist. That's how disappointed and annoyed I feel at the Tom Cleverley we see now before us. All this pretence that he'll 'come good' is just nonsense. If you're playing like you've not figured out what either your arse or elbow is let alone any hope of locating the two by the time you reach 24, let's face it you're not going to develop unexpectedly and with the speed of instant coffee, into a player of the standard we, our rivals or frankly anyone a step below us would ever be looking for.

 

[Talking Vulture]

He's fecking shit. Of all the players that we have that aren't up to the job, this cnut winds me up the most. The most pointless player in our squad by a long chalk.

 

[finneh]

Was there any real difference between what he was doing and what Carrick was doing tonight?

I mean, apart from the fact Carrick was doing it in slow motion.

I don't deny Cleverley was shite, but it was a definite double act master class in complete and utter cluelessness...and at least Cleverley has the excuse that he's simply not that good.

This is the part that makes me want to defend him.

It is plain to see that he isn't good enough to play for us long term. He'll have a decent-good game 1/3 and work relatively hard everytime he's played. However he doesn't have the range of passing, first touch, quickness of thought, creativity or tackling/interception ability that top midfielders require (at least some of). He's just a decent Footballer who tries his best and is out of his depth. He'll end up at Sunderland or Hull and do a decent job in the centre with two other decent players next to him.

He's like Ashley Young but without the horrendous diving for which he is hated.

 

[Varun]

He's fecking shit. Of all the players that we have that aren't up to the job, this cnut winds me up the most. The most pointless player in our squad by a long chalk.

That'd be Buttner.

 

[moses]

Was there any real difference between what he was doing and what Carrick was doing tonight?

I mean, apart from the fact Carrick was doing it in slow motion.

I don't deny Cleverley was shite, but it was a definite double act master class in complete and utter cluelessness...and at least Cleverley has the excuse that he's simply not that good.

The difference on tonight's game was nil, but Carrick has contributed so the assumption is he will again. However even he in form is not the man to lead the midfield, that shouldn't be used as a stick to beat him with, he is what he is, so a CM leader should be bought.

 

[Shane88]

That'd be Buttner.

Buttner, for all his shitness, is at least quick and is capable of sending in a decent cross every dozen or so attempts.

Cleverley, he can pass sideways and backwards. He panics when the ball comes near him. He hides from his team-mates when they need someone to pass to. He couldn't tackle a child. He can't shoot. He's slow. He's a nothing player and the sooner he's gotten rid of, the better. I know some people want to keep him as a squad player, I think that's because of misguided loyalty to a player who came through the academy. This guy isn't up to it.

 

[Varun]

Buttner, for all his shitness, is at least quick and is capable of sending in a decent cross every dozen or so attempts.

Cleverley, he can pass sideways and backwards. He panics when the ball comes near him. He hides from his team-mates when they need someone to pass to. He couldn't tackle a child. He can't shoot. He's slow. He's a nothing player and the sooner he's gotten rid of, the better. I know some people want to keep him as a squad player, I think that's because of misguided loyalty to a player who came through the academy. This guy isn't up to it.

Buttner is a pointless fullback. Cant defend, and is at best decent going forward. Shouldnt be anywhere near our squad.

Clev I think is simply not suited to our style. We need players who have the quality and the balls to make a difference on their own as we dont really play much as a team. He, simply put, doesnt have the tools to do that. He'd be much better in a 3 man midfield where his job is to keep things ticking over.

 

[Amar__]

Since start of the december until now, he's played 11 games, starting 10(and playing mostly full 90 minutes in those), and 30 minutes cameo against Shaktar making his eleventh. In just over a month time! For comparison, Carrick, player in who we were more dependaple than anyone else in last few years, and without we couldn't imagine our startin XI last season, played "just" seven games over same period in last season.

Cleverley was really poor yesterday, but even better players than Cleverley rarely perform well when tired, and they tend to lose possession quite often, and losing possession isn't really part of his game even when he is in poor form, and that was his biggest problem yesterday.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

What i think could be most disappointing of all about Clev, is that he doesn't fulfil his actual ability whether on the training field or football pitch. With the way he has stagnated i'd have to question his application during the week.

At present Cleverley is wasting the debatable level of potential that he has, maybe the pressure is too much and he would be better off moving club.

 

[Massive Spanner]

What i think could be most disappointing of all about Clev, is that he doesn't fulfil his actual ability whether on the training field or football pitch. With the way he has stagnated i'd have to question his application before matches, and his mental weakness leaves the team short when it matters.

He is wasting the debatable level of potential which eh has, maybe he would be better off moving club.

What's this ability you speak of? By all accounts, I've never seen anything other than a decent all rounder in him. I've never seen him excel at anything. Not goalscoring, not passing, not defending, not dribbling. he's just decent at most things a midfielder should be good at but doesn't excel at anything in particular, which is something you'd expect a midfielder at a top club to have in their locker.

 

[Ish]

What's this ability you speak of? By all accounts, I've never seen anything other than a decent all rounder in him. I've never seen him excel at anything. Not goalscoring, not passing, not defending, not dribbling. he's just decent at most things a midfielder should be good at but doesn't excel at anything in particular, which is something you'd expect a midfielder at a top club to have in their locker.

Sadly, this.

The best we could have hoped for is to get a "Xavi-lite" out of Tom. Keeping possesion and keeping it really basic, simple, with the odd penetrative/killer pass or an assist or goal.

Yet, when the going gets tough, Cleverley disappears, which is not a trait of a top player, IMO. He can't play when a team presses us either so there's not anything he really excels at, other than delegating responsibility on to others.

He's actually turned into quite the passenger in our side.

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

What's this ability you speak of? By all accounts, I've never seen anything other than a decent all rounder in him. I've never seen him excel at anything. Not goalscoring, not passing, not defending, not dribbling. he's just decent at most things a midfielder should be good at but doesn't excel at anything in particular, which is something you'd expect a midfielder at a top club to have in their locker.

His reluctance to impose himself on matches will be detrimental to many of those things. Although something like shooting which ought not to be affected by that weakness has stayed still as well, and you'd think it would have advanced somewhat over the years.

He appears to be a player all too content to perform in his comfort zone and no further. I mean when was the last time we witnessed an 8/10+ display from the lad?

In the grant scheme of things he's not so young any more either. With that in mind the return of Fletch only makes things worse for too, as he is every bit the footballer Cleverley si and a deal more so.

 

[Sauxees Moi Hui]

Since start of the december until now, he's played 11 games, starting 10(and playing mostly full 90 minutes in those), and 30 minutes cameo against Shaktar making his eleventh. In just over a month time! For comparison, Carrick, player in who we were more dependaple than anyone else in last few years, and without we couldn't imagine our startin XI last season, played "just" seven games over same period in last season.

Cleverley was really poor yesterday, but even better players than Cleverley rarely perform well when tired, and they tend to lose possession quite often, and losing possession isn't really part of his game even when he is in poor form, and that was his biggest problem yesterday.

This is correct. Cleverley has played too much recently, and must be completely exhausted.

There is a question of whether he is good enough to stay in our squad, but yesterday's performance should not sway people's opinions too much, IMO.

 

[noodlehair]

The difference on tonight's game was nil, but Carrick has contributed so the assumption is he will again. However even he in form is not the man to lead the midfield, that shouldn't be used as a stick to beat him with, he is what he is, so a CM leader should be bought.

The difference for me is that Carrick should be doing a lot better than he has been all season. Cleverley I'm not sure is capable of doing better. You can't accuse him of not running around enough, or not being urgent enough on the ball (Carrick is so guilty of the later this season I actually find it painful watching him). It's just that Cleverley's not really good enough to not rely on others in order to play effectivey himself...if that makes sense.

Put him in an accomplished team, and he'll look accomplished, put him in a poor team, and he wont be making them look any less poor.

 

[cacs]

he was caught in possession too many times against sunderland and lost it. you just cant afford to do that at this level

 

[Eric'sCollar]

As poor as he was and has been and as much as I think he should be dropped. We have to support him, in times like this the players need as much help as they can get and getting on his back just doesn't help him one bit.

 

[Name Changed]

As poor as he was and has been and as much as I think he should be dropped. We have to support him, in times like this the players need as much help as they can get and getting on his back just doesn't help him one bit.

I'll support any player that plays for the club, even if he is shite.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I'll support any player that plays for the club, even if he is shite.

I think the majority do, it's just the ones who don't, have the loudest voices.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Some of the abuse that he has received in recent days, not necessarily on here, but in general, has been derogatory. Yes, he is nowhere near good enough to be a first team regular and he was atrocious the other night, but feck me, some of the things that have been said have been out of order.

I'm not even a fan of his and have been a critic in the past but bloody hell, some of the abuse is a-bit much.

 

[Stack]

Some of the abuse that he has received in recent days, not necessarily on here, but in general, has been derogatory. Yes, he is nowhere near good enough to be a first team regular and he was atrocious the other night, but feck me, some of the things that have been said have been out of order.

I'm not even a fan of his and have been a critic in the past but bloody hell, some of the abuse is a-bit much.

Im with you. He isnt a player who has disrespected United, he hasnt slagged anyone off, he hasnt done anything that has disgraced the United name but some of the vitriol and abuse is out of line. People might not think he is good enough which is fine but seriously calling him a useless cnut or a coward is just bullshit.

 

[NinjaZombie]

Some of the abuse that he has received in recent days, not necessarily on here, but in general, has been derogatory. Yes, he is nowhere near good enough to be a first team regular and he was atrocious the other night, but feck me, some of the things that have been said have been out of order.

I'm not even a fan of his and have been a critic in the past but bloody hell, some of the abuse is a-bit much.

Part of the reason is the expectations fans have on him. I admit, when he came on against City in that Charity Shield game 2 seasons ago and became involved in one of our best team goals of the past few years (over 2 seasons ago, depressing thought, that) I was buying into the hype. Ferguson and Eric Harrison were bigging him up. Harrison called him the best youth product we've had since Scholes even.

But since then, I've just come to the conclusion that he will be nowhere near the type of player who takes charge of games. He'll be around the field to move the ball around whenever is necessary and help the more creative assertive players to do their things. He'd be good as a mere cog in a good pass and move team.

I think he trusts in his team mates' pass and move abilities too much, with regards to building up play. This is obvious when you see him make a first time pass to the likes of Evra and immediately points to his feet, wanting the ball played back to him immediately afterwards, presumably so he can then play a longer more direct pass. In some regards, its a similar problem that Kagawa faces in our team. They're the sort of players who will work within a framework of a team that's set up to pass and move.

 

[Mainoldo]

His a good player playing in a low confidence team!!! Better players and a team that plays good football would improve him.

 

[Sixpence]

People always use the "he's lacking confidence" excuse to attempt to hide the truth.

 

[Ish]

His a good player playing in a low confidence team!!! Better players and a team that plays good football would improve him.

The type of player we need in midfield, is actually the kind that can drag others out of a rut, or improve the team, instead of needing a "good team" around them to improve them IMO.

Cleverley is too much of a passenger. Even if he played in a so called "better team", he'd still need to show a lot more then simple, safe, mostly sideways & back, 5-10 yard passes. You need much more to your game at a top club IMO.

Even defensively, I've seen other midfielders stroll pass him countless times.

 

[Cedric]

Some of the abuse that he has received in recent days, not necessarily on here, but in general, has been derogatory. Yes, he is nowhere near good enough to be a first team regular and he was atrocious the other night, but feck me, some of the things that have been said have been out of order.

I'm not even a fan of his and have been a critic in the past but bloody hell, some of the abuse is a-bit much.

I agree. I think the problem is that many people had high hopes for him when he first came to the scene. Unfortunately he didn't manage to develop enough. It's disappointing but it happens, and abuse for that is definitely not necessary.

 

[Robbie Boy]

I agree. I think the problem is that many people had high hopes for him when he first came to the scene. Unfortunately he didn't manage to develop enough. It's disappointing but it happens, and abuse for that is definitely not necessary.

Yeah I agree with that. I think people's expectations were far too high (a look through the early part of this thread is evidence of that). He did indeed look a promising prospect, especially during his loan-spell at Watford.

I guess people will always put massive expectations on our home grown players, which will lead to the inevitable abuse / blame, when they don't become the next Xavi, etc. I'm by no means Cleverley's biggest fan but some of the abuse from our own fans, is quite frankly, embarrassing.

 

[Dans]

He's fecking shit. Of all the players that we have that aren't up to the job, this cnut winds me up the most. The most pointless player in our squad by a long chalk.

For all his shortcomings as a player, calling him a cnut isn't called for. feck me.

 

[Shark]

He's a shining example of a player that's getting a free pass because of how shit our other options are, like quite a few other players in our starting 11 have been for too long. Calling him shit is a bit far, but he should be a squad player at a club like United.

 

[Ash_G]

He's a shining example of a player that's getting a free pass because of how shit our other options are, like quite a few other players in our starting 11 have been for too long. Calling him shit is a bit far, but he should be a squad player at a club like United.

Well I mean Ando has been available, I know he's not reliable but I can't help but think he's been massively under utilised with the injuries we've had and Clev's form. Clev has easily put in some performances on par with Ando's disappointing ones this season. Probably a bit late now as he's likely very lacking in sharpness and confidence now. But yeah he's definitely good enough for the squad.

 

[pete_8]

Simply not good enough, he has limited ability and a poor work ethic. I think his rise to so called fame has gone straight to his head, he probably thinks it's all the others are letting him down. Just strikes me as that sort of personality. Get rid

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Simply not good enough, he has limited ability and a poor work ethic. I think his rise to so called fame has gone straight to his head, he probably thinks it's all the others are letting him down. Just strikes me as that sort of personality. Get rid

I don't agree with this. He gives his all, it's too easy a cop out for fans to say players don't work hard enough. I agree he hasn't progressed and that he doesn't have the ability to be a Manchester United midfielder but I can't agree with saying he has a poor work ethic.

 

[Talking Vulture]

For all his shortcomings as a player, calling him a cnut isn't called for. feck me.

Oh feck off you wet lettuce

 

[pete_8]

I don't agree with this. He gives his all, it's too easy a cop out for fans to say players don't work hard enough. I agree he hasn't progressed and that he doesn't have the ability to be a Manchester United midfielder but I can't agree with saying he has a poor work ethic.

I may be wrong but I can just see him throwing his arms up all the time complaining when he or others make a mistake , rather than battling back. He is not alone

 

[FlawlessThaw]

I may be wrong but I can just see him throwing his arms up all the time complaining when he or others make a mistake , rather than battling back. He is not alone

Think that's frustration more than anything. He definitely isn't alone but that's because the team has lost all confidence right now.

I agree with Eric's Collar, I think Cleverley's problem is he isn't good enough as a Manchester United midfielder, least not one that can control a midfield. He will always be a secondary player at best.

 

[pete_8]

Think that's frustration more than anything. He definitely isn't alone but that's because the team has lost all confidence right now.

I agree with Eric's Collar, I think Cleverley's problem is he isn't good enough as a Manchester United midfielder, least not one that can control a midfield. He will always be a secondary player at best.

I agree 100% a squad player at best, maybe he would do better in a team with less expectation, Not a United player, simple as sadly

 

[Chesterlestreet]

If we switch our main formation to a 4-3-3 (which we should at this point, especially if we don't buy a CM in this window) Cleverley is good enough to be a squad man/rotation player for us. I see no reason to ship him out. He's a youth product and, yes, that is a distinct advantage in a squad player if said squad player is happy to be a...squad player.