One to watch #74:Tom Cleverly

Name:  Tom Cleverley

Date of Birth:  12/08/89

Position: Midfield

Club:  Wigan (on loan from Manchester United)

Previous clubs: Bradford,  Watford

International caps:  England U-21 - 11 (0)

Tom Cleverley grew up in Bradford, starting his career there as part
of the youth set-up before joining Manchester United in July 2005 at
just 15 years of age.  In his first season Cleverley made nine
appearances for the U-18 side as well as being an unused substitute
for the reserve team.  Cleverley made his debut for United’s reserves
in 2007 and became a regular in the team for the next 12 months,
overcoming a long term injury in the process.

Cleverley had his first taste of first team action in July 2008 when
he was called up for a pre-season tour of South Africa, making his
debut against Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the Vodacom Challenge,
coming off the bench and scoring.  Cleverley was a regular for the
reserves in the 2008*2009 season but was given a first team squad
number and involved in League Cup games for the club.

In January 2009 Cleverley joined Leicester City for the rest of the
season and was handed the number 7 shirt.  Cleverley made 15
appearances for Leicester before suffering a shoulder injury which
required surgery and ended his season. Although Cleverley returned to
Manchester United for treatment, he was still awarded a medal when
Leicester were crowned champions of League 1.

At the start of the 2009/2010 season Cleverley was sent on loan to
Watford,   Cleverley scored 11 goals in 33 appearances for Watford
before he suffered yet another season ending injury. This time is was
a knee ligament injury which ended his season in April 2010. At the
end of the season Cleverley won Watford’s Player of the Season award.

Cleverley returned to Manchester United and was fit for the 2010/2011
pre-season tour of North America.  In August, Cleverley signed for
Wigan on a season-long loan.  He made his Wigan and Premier League
debut in September and has become a first team regular, scoring 3
goals.  Cleverley has quickly become a favourite with the Wigan fans
but his future looks set at Manchester United who highly rate the
youngster.