Tom Cleverley

A talented young attacking midfielder on the books of Manchester United.

A creative and intelligent player who can operate in the centre of midfield or on either flank, he also offers tenacity and a genuine goal threat. Tom left Bradford City’s youth set-up to join United at the age of 12, signing scholarship forms in 2005.

A solid but unspectacular full back during an injury-hit two years with the Red Devils’ U18 side, he was moved into midfield when stepping up to the reserves in 2007 and has made rapid progress since, earning a loan move to third tier Leicester City in January 2009 and then starring in the Championship for Watford the following season, where he was atop the Hornets’ goalscoring charts when injury brought his spell at Vicarage Road to a premature end.

A quietly impressive stint with Wigan Athletic in 2010-11 thrust him into contention for a first team place at Old Trafford last season and Tom seized his chance with some outstanding displays as United started the campaign in blistering form. The Basingstoke-born youngster’s development has seen him feature regularly for Stuart Pearce’s England U21 side and earn a place in the senior squad for friendlies with the Netherlands in August 2011 and February 2012, with a first cap surely soon to follow.