He’s widely regarded as one of Manchester United’s and England’s biggest hopes for the future. Pundits and fans have slathered praise unto him. So why is it, then, that many Manchester United fans have a lingering doubt about Tom Cleverley’s ability to break into Sir Alex’s side?
Some of this feeling, I’d imagine, has sprung from a few good-to-average performances that the 23-year-old has put in recently. I’ll go ahead and roll off the typical defences: he’s still developing, he was out injured for a significant period of time and he’s still learning his role.
Yet, I’d argue that it goes deeper than that. I’d argue that Manchester United haven’t been deploying him in the position that would allow him to express himself best. For United, he’s usually played as a typical central midfielder or defensive midfielder. Naturally, this is going to curb his offensive input as he seeks to deal with his defensive responsibility.
But hasn’t his performances in an England shirt proven that he’d excel in a role further up the pitch? Against Moldova he was deployed just beyond the striker and he looked great. When he wasn’t on the ball, he always made himself available, whilst using the defensive side of his game to close down the opposition and deny them pace.
What most impressed me, however, was the way he linked up with the likes of Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain and Jermaine Defoe to keep England ticking as an attacking unit.
Yes, I’ll confess, he doesn’t seem to play with the same level of grace or ease as Jack Wilshere. But compare him to Tottenham’s big young talent: Jake Livermore. Livermore looks like a handy player (one with plenty of developing to do) but he doesn’t share Cleverley’s endeavor, imagination or versatility.
If Cleverley’s deployed further up the pitch, I’m sure fans will start to back him more. I hope that he’s given an opportunity to prove himself in this position when Sir Alex decides that the time’s right for rotation. I can see Cleverley being a key part of Manchester United’s cup games and that may well be his opportunity to stake a claim to a more attacking role.
After that, there may well be no holding him back.
What’s your take? Does Cleverley merit a more offensive role in this Manchester United side?
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