Analysis: Moyes Defends Cleverley, But Is He Good Enough For Manchester United

Manchester United boss David Moyes defended midfielder Tom Cleverley in Friday's press conference after an online campaign to ban the England international from this summer's World Cup squad reached over 15,000 signatures. Describing the 24-year old as a "fantastic young player who's developing all the time", Moyes claimed Cleverley "always gives his best and that is why he will succeed". However, peformances this season for both club and country have been unimpressive, which is why I personally believe Cleverley simply isn't good enough for the Premier League champions. 

It's hard to believe that a squad who this time last season sat top of the Premier League are struggling down in 7th place. Cleverley, along with many others, have underperformed in their first season under Moyes, and although he is sometimes labelled the scapegoat of an underachieving team as a whole, I believe he is more suited to a team regularly fighting for the Europa League spots.

The fact of the matter is quite simple - Manchester United should be challenging for the league title. They should be winning trophies, but if Moyes' first season is anything to go by, United fans could be in for a tough few years as the Scot rebuilds his squad. Juan Mata was a terrific signing for the club and signings of similar quality are needed for a midfield lacking creativity as of late. 

Talks of signings such as Toni Kroos could indeed mean Cleverley's chances will be limited and rightly so as a midfielder with just one goal in 19 league games without assisting any should be nowhere near the starting line up of a club of Manchester United's stature, never mind a World Cup squad.

United fans, do you feel Cleverley's time at Old Trafford should be up?

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Comments

[Enid Blyton]

As some have said th best thing for Tom Cleverley is to restart his career elsewhere, he's a millions miles off being either a young or fantastic player.. In a lesser club he could have a new lease of life. If Moyes does rate him he;d let him go because he;s having a nightmare season..

[Dec Lloyd]

Agreed. I was impressed in his loan spell at Wigan when he was still considered a "young" player but since then he just seems to have failed to developed. He wouldn't even get into the midfield of the likes of Everton and Southampton at the moment so I really don't see why he's still playing for United.

[in1voice]

All MU players all have to make a difference when they are on the pitch. They cannot be passengers. Everyone must have an impact on the game, either defensively, creatively or terrorizing defenders. Cleverly doesn't seem to contribute anything positive. Neither does Young but to a lesser extent. Valencia as well. Even Fletcher after being out for so long is surprisingly better than Cleverly, and maybe even Fellani.

Dedication and hardwork is not enough. All MU players must be a cut above the rest. Otherwise, there's no way they can win the CL or dominate the EPL like they did in the past.

I think they need a new manager.

[Dec Lloyd]

A new manager is a possibility but it seems unlikely. Moyes will probably be given time and rebuild the whole team to fit his tactics (which are poor in my opinion). I've not thought the likes of Young and Cleverley are good enough for United for a while now and the difference last season was of course, Fergie.

[Andy Rees]

He is getting a new deal according to the papers this morning, I really do not understand how people even rate him, he is nowhere near good enough if Manchester United have designs on silverware.

[Dec Lloyd]

That baffles me. From what I've heard, every United fan can see he's not good enough. Moyes must see something the rest of us don't.