Tom Cleverley: Manchester United Class or the Latest Great Midfield Pretender?

At 24 years old, Thomas William Cleverley is no longer one of "United's Babes."

The young lad from Bradford has now featured over 50 times for Manchester United and is well and truly over the sophomore line in his short career as a first-team footballer, playing at the biggest club in the world.

"TC23" has been on the United faithful's radar for a long time, having been at the club since the age of 12. His progression has been steady and measured. It was his fantastic first loan spells that elevated expectations of him. His time with Leicester was short and sweet, but his season at Watford was hugely successful, where his performances made him the Hornets' player of the season, scoring 11 times in 33 games.

There has never been any doubt about Cleverley's ability. Sir Alex Ferguson said in 2011: "He, to my mind, is probably the best midfield player in Britain, potentially. He has fantastic promise." (h/t ESPN FC)

However, that progress to becoming the "best in Britain" has been stunted by injury and inconsistency. There are real and valid questions as to whether Cleverley has what it takes to improve further and lay his claim to a starting berth next to Michael Carrick.

The main issue for Cleverley is the Manchester United formation. As his reputation for being an attacking goalscoring midfielder grew and cemented him as "one to watch," he has never truly been given this opportunity to perform this role in the first team.

"Laying deep and keeping it simple" has been his usual tactical duty, both under Ferguson and now under David Moyes. Anderson has suffered from a similar millstone: He's a player who has had to curb all of his attacking prowess to become an inferior player, never being able to compete with truly defensive-minded players. There is little doubt that Cleverley could evolve into a "Xavi type," utilising his midfield brain instead of brawn. However, is this the best thing for the player's career?

One of the things I liked about the teenage Cleverley was his guile. He could work the attacking positions so well. He seemed equally as comfortable in the wide positions as he did behind a striker. I was really excited by those early days. He might not have been in Paul Scholes' class, but a player who is versatile, clever and scores goals is always welcome.

The issue is how Sir Alex has moulded him. He has been made into a more "rounded" footballer, but he has lost something.

The Cleverley with the guile has gone. The Cleverley that tracks and covers is now in full effect. I do not have an issue that Fergie saw fit to push him in this direction, but it has affected all of his unique selling points. Whereas Anderson has wilted and withered away from the first team and the Brazilian national squad, Cleverley has carved himself out a career, but maybe not the career he was meant to have.

Ultimately, I think the jury is still out on Cleverley. I am a big fan of his when he gets nearer the last third, when he can pass and move and link with the forwards. However, as he comes from such a deep position, it is rare that we get to see him burst into the box to support a Rooney or a van Persie. I think that is a shame, for both him and for Manchester United.

With the purchase of Marouane Fellaini and the fact that Carrick is the United midfield mainstay, you can only really see Cleverley being the bridesmaid and never the bride. He really did have a lot more potential than this, but when you curb your enthusiasm for becoming the player you want to be to become the player that the club needs at that time, it is almost certain that you will lose some authenticity.

So is Tom Cleverley in Manchester United's class? In my opinion, yes. However, will we ever see Tom Cleverley produce that essential and needed class in a red shirt? I am not so sure. The next 12 months are vital for him. If David Moyes invests in his midfield as expected in the next two transfer windows, it may well be the likes of Tom Cleverley who suffer the most.