Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley admits he has been "average" this season

Cleverley feels that he should improve further

Tom Cleverley admitted that some of his performances have been below par this season.

This year’s Premier League season has not been one of fond memories for Manchester United so far. Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to call it a day and David Moyes was appointed as Manager. The Red Devils performances in the EPL has been disappointing at best as they trail league leaders Arsenal by thirteen points just fifteen games into the season.

Among the players, Tom Cleverley has come under criticism regularly for his performances. The midfielder has failed to perform to expectations after returning to Old Trafford from a season long loan at Wigan two years before.

The player himself has come out and conceded that his performances this season have been “average” in some games.

“At the moment, I feel like I’ve got more to give,” Cleverley said in an interview. “I’ve had a few average games, a few more than I would prefer.

“But I felt this time last year was when I hit my best form of the season, when we were playing every few days.

“I’m the type of player who prefers that and, if I can get into a rhythm, then hopefully I can add more than just appearances to my record, I can also add some stand-out performances.”

The England international believes that he is adding more to his game under the reign of new manager Moyes but feels that he still have more to learn.

The 24-year-old said,”I’m definitely developing the defensive side of my game and tactically the manager is teaching me a lot of things,”.

“Maybe the creative side of my game can improve a little bit too but I realise that’s not my only job in the team and sometimes I’ve got to sacrifice that part.

“I felt Chelsea at home, defensively and tactically, was a mature performance and I thought I was having a really good game at Fulham before a bang on the head gave me double vision and I had to come off.

“I’d pick those two, and the really good team performance at Swansea on the opening day, as my best so far.”

Cleverley also said that United definitely miss the experience of Michael Carrick whose absence in the last four premier league games was felt badly as United were only able to draw two while they lost the other two games.

“Any team in the world who had Michael Carrick would feel the loss, there’s no denying that,” said Cleverley.

“But it has given a chance for other players to play and step up to the plate.”

United will be hoping that Cleverley will be able to put in a performance of note when they visit Aston Villa on Sunday.