Tom Cleverley: The answer to United's midfield problems

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – FEBRUARY 16: Tom Cleverley (R) of Manchester United controls the ball besides Vurnon Anita of Ajax Amsterdam during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Ajax and Manchester United at Amsterdam Arena on February 16, 2012 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

It’s common knowledge among Manchester United fans that we’ve been on the lookout for a centre midfielder for several seasons now. Wesley Sneijder, Luka Modric and Joao Moutinho are just a few of the names linked with a move to Old Trafford. I’m sure you’ll agree that they are big stars of the game.

But are they needed?

All three of them would cost £30m+, a massive price tag for players entering their swansong years in the next couple of seasons. Not only this, but they would all take months to settle in, with the exception of maybe Luka Modric.

Despite all of this, so many fans insist on us signing another central midfielder this summer. They say that Michael Carrick, Anderson and Paul Scholes do not possess the quality that they once did, and it’s time to stop placing our trust in ‘been there, done that’ type players.

Whilst I agree that these players are not what they once were, I do not think it warrants effectively wasting millions of pounds on a player that we can do without. Besides, what if the answer to our midfield woes was right on our doorstep…

Tom Cleverley has been at Manchester United since he was twelve years of age. He knows the club like not many others do, seeing some of the best players to ever play for the club come and go before his very eyes. He has worked with the likes of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs from being a child.

He has worked his way through the ranks at United, even captaining the reserves at one point. He has always been regarded as a player who would ‘do it’ at the top level, along with teammate Danny Welbeck. His ability has never once been questioned by United fans.

Ever since he scored on his debut for the first team in 2009, he has consistently impressed everybody at the club. At the beginning of the 2011/12 season, he was in sparkling form, often starting in the centre of the United midfield.

He was dubbed Paul Scholes’ replacement, running the show in some of United’s best performances of the season including the 3-2 win over Manchester City at Wembley, the 3-0 win over Spurs at Old Trafford and best of all, the 8-2 win over Arsenal. He was delighting supporters who were still reeling from the failure of securing the signature of Wesley Sneijder.

Then the inevitable occurred, Tom picked up a series of injuries which hindered his whole season, which never really took off the way it could have.

This summer, we find ourselves in the same position that we were a year ago. Failing to secure the services of an out and out midfielder, we as fans find ourselves wondering where the dictation of play will come from.

Sir Alex has openly admitted that Paul Scholes will not be able to play 40 to 50 games next season, so that rules him out. Up steps, Tom Cleverley. After a fantastic Olympic showing with Team GB, Cleverley is once again the name on every fan’s lips, hoping that he can deliver on the big stage again for his club, as well as stay fit throughout.