The youth system at Manchester United has not yet produced a class to match the group of 1992, headlined by Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Paul Scholes. Perhaps it never will. But for aspiring midfielders, there is still no better place to learn their trade than Old Trafford.
Just ask winger Tom Cleverley, who has thrived since moving to Manchester United in 2005 as a 15-year-old. Now 21, Cleverley has had the chance to watch Cristiano Ronaldo, Giggs and Scholes in action and tap into their vast experience of playing at the highest level. It is a priceless learning process that few hopefuls elsewhere in the country have access to.
Cleverley has also benefited from three loan spells – at Leicester, Watford and Wigan, where he made 25 Premier League appearances last season. First team football has toughened the Englishman up, developed his game and prepared him for the battles ahead. Relishing the chance to play every week and adopting the good habits he had picked up from esteemed peers at United, he took the next step in his football journey.
And the United man is set to push on in the upcoming 2011/12 campaign. Cleverley has done everything asked of him by the Premier League champions thus far, but his next challenge is to make an impact in the United first team. Despite keen interest from other clubs, Sir Alex Ferguson has opted to keep the youngster at Old Trafford this season, giving Cleverley the chance to prove he deserves to be part of the club’s future. The test begins with the current pre-season tour of the United States.
While Cleverley has much still to prove, Ferguson has wasted little time singing his praises. Indeed, the United boss has already earmarked his young winger as a future England international, labelling him “an intelligent, modern day footballer”. He added: “His movement and understanding of space is really good for a young player.”
But one glance at the United squad confirms the magnitude of the challenge awaiting Cleverley in the months to come as he seeks to muscle his way up the pecking order. The champions have strengthened over the summer and the youngster finds himself competing with new signing Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Nani, Ji-Sung Park and even Gabriel Obertan for a spot on the flanks.
However, given that United will once again be chasing silverware on all fronts, Cleverley will get his chance to impress at some stage – and all the signs point to him taking such an opportunity. The 21-year-old showed glimpses of his potential on Manchester United’s 2010 pre-season tour, scoring against Celtic in Toronto and again against the MLS All-Stars. Comfortable on the ball and capable of beating his man at will, Cleverley has looked assured lining up anywhere across the midfield.
The instant impact that Federico Macheda and then Javier Hernandez have had at Old Trafford will help Cleverley’s case, with Ferguson undoubtedly encouraged by the fearlessness of his young charges. Chris Smalling has also performed solidly after making the step up. Plus, Ferguson might well consider Beckham’s meteoric rise after an eye-opening loan spell at Preston North End or, further afield, Jack Wilshere’s impressive development in the Arsenal midfield following a period at Bolton Wanderers.
Another intriguing subplot is that United supporters are crying out for a new home grown talent to embrace. One-by-one, the Class of ’92 stalwarts have stepped away from the Old Trafford spotlight – from Nicky Butt, Beckham and Phil Neville to Gary Neville and Scholes. Only Giggs remains and he may not have much more in the tank. It is time for a new youth system product to stake his claim for the fans’ affections – and Cleverley could be that man.
All in all, there is no escaping the importance of the next two seasons for Cleverley. He has the skills and confidence to make his mark among the Premier League big boys, but it is now time to turn potential into proven quality. United have been active in the transfer market this summer, spending more than £50M and bringing in new faces with an eye on developing a young core. This season, Cleverley has the chance to show Ferguson that he too is a key player for the future.
