lol Carrick has never looked better than when he played with fletcher against roma. And whilst they've never matched that performance by some distance they were a lot better than credited for by some. A fletcher in the form of 08-10 with carrick in his current form would be a great combo.
Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances
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lol Carrick has never looked better than when he played with fletcher against roma. And whilst they've never matched that performance by some distance they were a lot better than credited for by some. A fletcher in the form of 08-10 with carrick in his current form would be a great combo.
It is not normal for him to ignore a bad midfield performance for 90 minutes when he has the means to change it.
This is the thing that concerns me with Cleverley. If Ferguson continues to play 2 midfielders they both need to be uber-disciplined. Tom just doesn't seem to be able to follow the opposition. He is watching the ball and the space but not the runners.
I think he is developing into a fine little midfielder but he needs to improve his defensive positioning. He was very disciplined against Real but that was due to the tactical setup, he was much deeper as United sat back. When space opens up in games he needs to be more alert to what his opponents are doing, not just his teammates.
Don't think putting Rooney in midfield would have solved anything tbh. He was pretty poor himself.
Ando maybe, but then not even 100% sure about him as he's been in poor form.
Ando maybe, but then not even 100% sure about him as he's been in poor form.
Fact - Carrick's form has massively improved since Fletcher had is illness. As I said it would for years. It even dipped when fletcher briefly came back. Wake up chaps this has been proven. Move on.
Onto the thread, Cleverley is cracking player and compliments Carrick very well. Had a poor game today but IMHO his best partnership is with Anderson but his injury issues are seriously hampering his Utd career.
Onto the thread, Cleverley is cracking player and compliments Carrick very well. Had a poor game today but IMHO his best partnership is with Anderson but his injury issues are seriously hampering his Utd career.
Yeah that's one of my concerns with clev, I think he's too concerned with pushing forward be it running forward or moving out wide, sometimes you just need your midfielders to move the ball on and whilst not just stand there but not overcommit to the attack. He lets the gap between him and carrick get too big.
Yeah, the Global economic crisis has gotten much better too. Has a solution to Global warming been found yet ? Can't be far off with Fletcher out still surely.
I'm sure he will begin to correct it, if it is pointed out to him of course. Yes the gap between them can be alarming at times, perhaps it's a communication issue? Carrick appears to be not the most vocal, I don't really know how Cleverley appears in this sense. He has definitely improved this season so the chances are in the next 2 years we will see a much more rounded Cleverley. One who has played consistently in a midfield pair and gained the discipline and consistency in his game.
He was great first half then he and others ran out of puff in the second.
Should of been took off in the second half for Anderson, was invisable.
Not his best game. Things largely passed him by and I can remember anything that he did during the game at all. I'm surprised that he didn't get subbed off for Anderson at some point. Hopefully he bounces back for the next match.
Cleverley has played 29 league games for United...eight of which he came on as a sub.
There are people making comments about his inability to run a game...that fact that he is not 28 and in his prime...that he is not good enough to cover Carrick...and other drivel.
Jesus...give the lad a chance!
He will continue to have poor games as he learns how to put in consistent performances. Playing in these games will only help his development and in 2/3 years we will have a quality midfielder.
Bryan Robson wasn't running West Brom's midfield after 21 starts...neither was Glenn Hoddle, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Gerrard or a host of other players.
Let's just be patient and let him develop.
There are people making comments about his inability to run a game...that fact that he is not 28 and in his prime...that he is not good enough to cover Carrick...and other drivel.
Jesus...give the lad a chance!
He will continue to have poor games as he learns how to put in consistent performances. Playing in these games will only help his development and in 2/3 years we will have a quality midfielder.
Bryan Robson wasn't running West Brom's midfield after 21 starts...neither was Glenn Hoddle, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Gerrard or a host of other players.
Let's just be patient and let him develop.
He's progressing very well, he showed a lot of nous for me against Madrid when he needed to sit deeper. I thought he was good in the First Half against Chelsea, got tired in the Second but that's understandable. Main thing for me this year is making sure he stays fit and progresses, so far, so good.
I really like Cleverley, but there are moments in every game where I think he could do much better. Sadly, I think he's not good enough for our first team, but he is the kind of player we need and that makes him look better than he is at times.
I think we should aim higher, but he can still end up as a decent squad player.
I think we should aim higher, but he can still end up as a decent squad player.
Very happy with him this season. Maybe he could get more short passing moves going like he was at the beginning of last season but I maybe that's down to playing a different way now.
You think he isn't good enough now, or don't see him improving and ever being good enough? There is a big difference.
I reckon he will be good enough eventually - and if we don't play him, he will never get that chance.
one bad game and people start slagging him off... 
one bad game and people start slagging him off...
Welcome to the Caf.
Then I come in and say I've always believed in him and that he's a fine player.
It's good to see an article write about him for what he is. He's not perfect now no doubt, and there will be a lot of his doubters on his back from the way his fans possibly "over" rated him. I don't think he's been over rated as such but I do feel that he's come across as over rated to the people who don't see his qualities. Like the article says, you shouldn't look at what he can't do but look at what he does.
If there were player cams, Cleverley would be a perfect player to have one for. As soon as he gets the ball he's constantly looking to pass it around and move into different positions and wanting the ball back. Sometimes we would like to see more from him, we would like to see him be a bit more adventurous and in time he will be, but let us not forget the boy is only 23 playing his first full season for us. He's been so highly rated by us, that some people are already expecting Iniesta like performances which is unfair on him.
The only comparison I would give him with Scholes is that they share a similar type of football brain. They can both see the pitch differently to a lot of other players and they both know ahead of time what moves they want to make. Of course he doesn't possess a lot of Scholes qualities in the sense of long range passing and shooting but he possesses talent unlike any of our other midfielders and once he starts getting more confidence to impose himself on games then he's going to be some player.
He's suffering a little from burn out as well, I don't think he's ever played this many games in a season plus playing at international level has he? He's performances have definitely been dropping but after the summer break I hope he'll come back fresher and better.
If there were player cams, Cleverley would be a perfect player to have one for. As soon as he gets the ball he's constantly looking to pass it around and move into different positions and wanting the ball back. Sometimes we would like to see more from him, we would like to see him be a bit more adventurous and in time he will be, but let us not forget the boy is only 23 playing his first full season for us. He's been so highly rated by us, that some people are already expecting Iniesta like performances which is unfair on him.
The only comparison I would give him with Scholes is that they share a similar type of football brain. They can both see the pitch differently to a lot of other players and they both know ahead of time what moves they want to make. Of course he doesn't possess a lot of Scholes qualities in the sense of long range passing and shooting but he possesses talent unlike any of our other midfielders and once he starts getting more confidence to impose himself on games then he's going to be some player.
He's suffering a little from burn out as well, I don't think he's ever played this many games in a season plus playing at international level has he? He's performances have definitely been dropping but after the summer break I hope he'll come back fresher and better.
He's just a reliable footballer to have in your midfield. He'll usually make the right decision on the ball and try to move it on at a quick tempo, he's just a tidy and busy player which suits his partnership with Carrick. I think his next move should be trying to add more goals to his game as he's shown signs of being a very promising goalscorer.
I don't think he'll ever be a world beater but he doesn't need to be.
Very happy with him overall.
I don't think he'll ever be a world beater but he doesn't need to be.
Very happy with him overall.
I'm really pleased with his partnership with Carrick, felt comfortable everytime I saw him in starting line-up knowing he'll do the job.
IMO he has really good movements off the ball, will create necessary space for Carrick to operate, will provide good one touch football in tight areas, will provide good cover for either wings if needed and have that ability to score goals from midfield. What else could you ask from young player that was just given proper chance to play for the first team? And great thing about him is his confidence he can do the job, he steps on the pitch with authority of someone that won't be imitaded with the opposition players no matter who they are, I really like that, that positive arrogance.
He did fade in the last few matches but that's completely normal for young players that got caught with fatigue and slightly injuries, so there's nothing to worry about.
IMO he has really good movements off the ball, will create necessary space for Carrick to operate, will provide good one touch football in tight areas, will provide good cover for either wings if needed and have that ability to score goals from midfield. What else could you ask from young player that was just given proper chance to play for the first team? And great thing about him is his confidence he can do the job, he steps on the pitch with authority of someone that won't be imitaded with the opposition players no matter who they are, I really like that, that positive arrogance.
He did fade in the last few matches but that's completely normal for young players that got caught with fatigue and slightly injuries, so there's nothing to worry about.
If he practices his shooting/finishing a bit more, then he'd be set. Pulls off some fantastic goals at times (scored that curler against someone and it landed just inside the post. I can't recall which game it was. Sunderland or Newcastle) but other times he lacks the composure when it lands nicely for him.
Apart from that, then he's excellent for us. Excited to see him in our midfield for years to come and see what he can develop into.
Apart from that, then he's excellent for us. Excited to see him in our midfield for years to come and see what he can develop into.
He had a one in three record for Watford in the Championship too.
I'm very happy with his season progress, he's improved in almost every aspect and has gained some good experience for his age.He's a proper United player now.
I just hope he will improve on his positioning awareness as at times I have (maybe wrongly) feeling that he's all over the place, surely part of the freedom is needed for his game and given by SAF but sometimes you have Carrick on the ball struggling to find people to pass and you feel Cleverley should be a little closer to him
I just hope he will improve on his positioning awareness as at times I have (maybe wrongly) feeling that he's all over the place, surely part of the freedom is needed for his game and given by SAF but sometimes you have Carrick on the ball struggling to find people to pass and you feel Cleverley should be a little closer to him
16/1 for a hatrick tonight 
He does seem to play in a more advanced role for England. I remember a couple of games where he basically played behind the forward. (Please tell me if I just imagined these games).
Has he played with Wilshere yet?
Has he played with Wilshere yet?
Against Brazil, I think.
So how did he play today? Didnt watch the match.
Thought he was quite poor last night, and generally hasn't played too well of late.
He was good in the first half, faded in the second. Carrick and Gerrard should take more heat for not controlling the game.
Funny how Scholes, the pre-eminent English central midfielder of his generation, revered by the likes of Zidane, Xavi, Davids, and Marcello Lippi etc. was not "trusted" by England coaches to play central midfield for England simply to accommodate Gerrard & Lampard. Oh yeah, like that yielded bountiful success, right???
Conversely Cleverley, a player that I as a United fan think is overrated at this stage of his career, seems to be a Hodgson favourite.
Mental...
I don't think he is Hodgson's fave per se, nor is he that great to be by default, a regular starter for a top international team. That said, to Hodgson's credit, he seems to be keen to implement a passing style into the team, and build a side that plays it on the floor. Obviously, Wilshere is the main man, but there aren't a whole load of obvious midfielders with the ability to pass and move at speed to play with him. Cleverley is currently the obvious choice.
That said, undoubtedly, more players will emerge over the coming years, and Cleverley will certainly need to improve if he is to hold down a regular spot for the next 8 years or so, but for now - he's the best option I feel.
And the years whilst Scholes did play centre mid for England, well they yielded bountiful success didn't they???
Fwiw, Zidane, Xavi, Davids and a host of other top people in football would and have said amazing things about Lampard and Gerrard too, and rightfully so.
This myth about Scholes is getting silly too now, I reckon he played a maximum of 10 games at left mid before throwing the towel in, it'd be like Kagawa quitting United after 5 more games playing at left mid. Scholes could easily have displaced Lampard or Gerrard had he really wanted to, but the truth is, he just didn't really enjoy the England thing and fecked it off as soon as the going got "tough".
Edit: Scrap that, I just checked. He played EIGHT games in the same team with Lampard and Gerrard. Pretty certain Gerrard was played on the right in a couple of those games too. In fact, Gerrard was often used on the right instead of his favoured positions, much more than Scholes was ever used on the left, but he didn't throw the towel in because he enjoyed the England thing.
Becomes a bit of a habit. Dissapointing few months for him. Hasnt really been good at all in the last games.
Not really. He's been pretty good but had a rough time of it against Chelsea and seems to have a habit of drifting out of games, it's almost like he's inexperienced.
Can't agree. For me he's been average at best this last few months. Hope he finds his form soon tbh.
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