Cleverley seems an intelligent type, who'll study his game and improve steadily with games. Unlike Anderson who'll just make the same mistakes again and again.
Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances
- Thread starter Bebe
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Looking at the first couple of matches, I can't even imagine how we'd have juggled the squad had we signed Moura. We've already seen Valencia at right back and Rooney/Welbeck on the bench. Hernandez hasn't even got a sniff.
Think we would've changed the team so much that it would've completely ruined any consistency in line up whatsoever.
I just expect so much more from him, given that he was playing the more advance of the 2 central midfielders. None of our wingers were able to take on players, and as a result Fulham were able to keep their shape defensively all throughout the game. That's why Cleverely has got to take more risk, more confident and of course Nani has to play all the time ahead of Young.
Thought we missed Nani too SittingBull, we needed more from the wingers.
Also thought Ando and Tom did well yesterday, Pogue's stats back that up.
Also thought Ando and Tom did well yesterday, Pogue's stats back that up.
Why?
Redcafe would erupt with cheers and high five
EPLStatman @EPLStatman 15h
Tom Cleverley has made more tackles than any other Man United player this season - he has also won 100% of them #MUFC
Cleverley and anderson vs fulham
www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/share.aspx?i=0bp3D
Tom Cleverley has made more tackles than any other Man United player this season - he has also won 100% of them #MUFC
Cleverley and anderson vs fulham
www.fourfourtwo.com/statszone/share.aspx?i=0bp3D
Both him and Anderson were excellent against Fulham. Only problem is that they both have to work on the defensive side of their game. Personally, I'd play one of them always. Although I have a feeling Anderson likes to play with Cleverley a lot more than he does with our other midfielders. He seems to like a mobile partner.
Great stuff, thanks for posting that, it seems I can't get the 442 app for free because I'm not in the UK!
Looks like a pretty aggressive game for Cleverley, sure he's made a fair number of short passes but that seems to be a growing part of our game, and I'm glad to see it.
Excellent from Anderson, his long passing was very good, poor guy has to be compared to Scholes, who makes everyone alive look like a crap passer of the long ball.
I thought Cleverley has added a bit more bite in the tackle compared to last seasons limited outings.
This can really be his time to establish himself as a regular starter. Wouldn't be a bad thing with a bit of consistancy in CM.
This can really be his time to establish himself as a regular starter. Wouldn't be a bad thing with a bit of consistancy in CM.
Once he completely forgets about his gippy ankle's and stays injury free for a couple of months, he will become even more aggressive in the tackle. Whenever he gets a slight bump, he seems to wince out of fear more than anything... more match time will toughen him up.
Lucky we have Kagawa.
I don't think Ando will suffer because with Carrick, he's going to be ahead of Carrick and behind Kagawa who definitely DOES like to move.
Also, I'm impressed by how many of the long passes Ando pulled off.
With Carrick behind someone, and Kagawa at the tip, we'll have a darned good midfield.
One of the best AM's in the world, one of the best DLP's and then someone like Scholes/Ando/Cleverley who aren't quite close to that level (Since Scholes is old, of course he's was easily the best of the lot in younger days!) right now, but are still good midfielders.
Of course, Kagawa isn't near Iniesta, but he's probably a top 5, and Carrick's only really behind 7-8 people in that role of DLP (Xavi, Xabi, Busquets, Pirlo, Yaya, Modric) to name a few; and not all of them can do the defensive duty he does.
Great stuff, thanks for posting that, it seems I can't get the 442 app for free because I'm not in the UK!
Looks like a pretty aggressive game for Cleverley, sure he's made a fair number of short passes but that seems to be a growing part of our game, and I'm glad to see it.
Excellent from Anderson, his long passing was very good, poor guy has to be compared to Scholes, who makes everyone alive look like a crap passer of the long ball.
I'm fortunate enough to have the app on my phone.
As well as making the most successful passes, Cleverley also made the most attacking third passes (30/34).
I think its fair to say Carrick's statement that Cleverley has a lot to bring to the midfield is an understatement:
Cleverley backed by Carrick.
I just wish his chipped pass to Van Persie late in the first half had come off cos that would've been a beautiful assist.
I love those 2 tbh.
When playing together (and on top form) we look impressive going forward (like last season). When both can improve their defensive work I think they can form a great partnership in the future.
When playing together (and on top form) we look impressive going forward (like last season). When both can improve their defensive work I think they can form a great partnership in the future.
Stomach jumped when I read Tom Cleverley out... then.
He has to play with more confidence. He has it in him to become world-class in his position but he has to show it more, more swagger. So happy we've made a proper CM by ourselves. He's earned his place through the three respective loans he served. Brilliant character.
He has everything needed to be a great midfielder.Just need to be patient with him because he'll be making mistakes due to his age and also need to be lucky in terms of injuries
I expect him to score a few goals this season for us as well, if I had to put my money on it I'd say he'll score one in the next 3 games
And even if he doesn't score, as long as he keeps playing the way he has, he'll keep improving and pretty soon even people outside of the United fan base will start realising what amazing potential this guy has, the only reason he's not being touted as "the next big thing" is because he came up the "long route", the one that Fergie envisioned, he isn't 17 or 18 so there's not so much of a buzz.
And even if he doesn't score, as long as he keeps playing the way he has, he'll keep improving and pretty soon even people outside of the United fan base will start realising what amazing potential this guy has, the only reason he's not being touted as "the next big thing" is because he came up the "long route", the one that Fergie envisioned, he isn't 17 or 18 so there's not so much of a buzz.
Kagawa and Cleverley in midfield
I've just seen he has his own website 
what's all that about?
what's all that about?Good shot for Kagawa's tap in
Hmmm I am seeing a lot of this board saying Cleverley was poor in the game against the Saints. I watched it again last night and he definitely wasn't poor at all.
Not getting it to be honest.
Not getting it to be honest.
He gave the ball away for their 1st goal (a series off errors though), and looked a bit off defensively but on the whole I thought he did well. Kept the ball and harried the Saints' midfield.
when scholes came on it changed the script of the match, maybe that's why it is easier for some to say cleverley didn't have the best of games.
Even though we actually played pretty well for large spells of the game, the 32 minutes between Lambert's go ahead goal and Van Persie's 2nd equalizer were quite painful, regardless of the quality of play.
Add to that the team seemed to come apart for a good 10 minutes after that Lambert goal, and the fact both goals could easily have been prevented, and it all leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
But the overall performance was good, even with that spell where we let Southampton have the ball.
Add to that the team seemed to come apart for a good 10 minutes after that Lambert goal, and the fact both goals could easily have been prevented, and it all leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
But the overall performance was good, even with that spell where we let Southampton have the ball.
He and Welbeck won the ball lol, then passed to Kagawa who took it a little to lazily slipped. It was a regulation pass, not 'giving the ball away'.
No it wasn't. He was actually getting stuck in and hustled Morgan Schneiderlin a few times to snuff out attacks and he genuinely didn't put much of a foot wrong anywhere.
Yet people are saying bizarre things like these.
But, whatever.
You weren't in pain? I was. But I guess that's differing perspectives for you.
I'm trying to explain why perception doesn't match up with the play. As I said, the play was good, except for the 10 minutes where we seemed stunned. But emotionally it was harsh because we trailed for so long, and that's coloring people's opinions. What's wrong with that?
I'm trying to explain why perception doesn't match up with the play. As I said, the play was good, except for the 10 minutes where we seemed stunned. But emotionally it was harsh because we trailed for so long, and that's coloring people's opinions. What's wrong with that?
I thought he had a bit of a no-show against Southampton. I noticed it, because he's usually not the player to go into his shell in a match, but I felt he did and left responsibility to Carrick for most of the game.
Didn't help that Carrick and Vidic had a competition where the target was to have the most touches without making up any ground between them.
Didn't help that Carrick and Vidic had a competition where the target was to have the most touches without making up any ground between them.
Lets not put our expectations too high for the lad just yet. He has HUGE potential and Im really looking forward to seeing how he pushes on but imo, Central mids dont tend to peak and show their best until their mid to late 20s. He is young and will make mistakes, but he seems like the sort of player who will learn from them and work hard to iron them out.
Is it but a coincidence that we concede loads of goals and chances when Cleverley is playing in midfield?
Yeah he wasn't "bad" at all & probably in our top 4-5 performers on the day (though that isn't saying much).
The problem with Cleverley though is that he's stepping into Scholes position (& arguably the position which dictates our tempo/possession), so he'll always be "evaluated" a bit unfairly - which wasn't helped by Scholes coming on and completely running the show.
FWIW, I also think Scholes' performance was massively helped by the following factors:
- Soton went all defensive (they just sat back)
- they were probably knackered, playing 70 mins at such a high tempo &
- Nani came on, stretching the game and opening up some space
The problem with Cleverley though is that he's stepping into Scholes position (& arguably the position which dictates our tempo/possession), so he'll always be "evaluated" a bit unfairly - which wasn't helped by Scholes coming on and completely running the show.
FWIW, I also think Scholes' performance was massively helped by the following factors:
- Soton went all defensive (they just sat back)
- they were probably knackered, playing 70 mins at such a high tempo &
- Nani came on, stretching the game and opening up some space
Wasnt poor but didnt have enough of an impact
So, though I don't want to get carried away, I really have high hopes for Cleverley. Some of the worlds all time great midfielders only ever reached their peaks mid-late 20's. So lets give him time to make the position his own. Plus he's a academy lad. Bonus.
Something like that. At times, hes a bit too "simple", "safe". He needs to develop a bit more variety to his passing.
Tbf though, it didn't help playing next to a neutralized Kagawa, out of form Carrick and no "winger" providing width on the left.
RVP said it all, he thanked Scholes because when he came on we got a proper passing rhythm. I dont even think Scholes was at his best either, he just bought more of what we needed and were lacking.
Problem with Cleverley is that he is not much of a defender due to his style and size.
So he needs someone in midfield to do the dirty work alongside, so that he can get on with his game.Someone mobile with a lot of energy.
Thats why Anderson's style suits him imo.
So he needs someone in midfield to do the dirty work alongside, so that he can get on with his game.Someone mobile with a lot of energy.
Thats why Anderson's style suits him imo.
He's our best and most effective tackler in midfield this season. By far.
Yeah Cleverley has done well with his tackling, way up on last season. But hardly the kind of player that secures this area of the pitch
Just not agreeing that there's any problems with his size or his tackling. Positional awareness will come with maturity, and that's the one part of his game where he's lacking the most at the moment.
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