Carrick: “Cleverley brings a lot to our midfield”

Michael Carrick has praised Tom Cleverley’s role in centre midfield this week and said the challenge is now to keep the high standards he’s set. Cleverley has started both our games so far this season and, similar to last season, it’s just a case of him staying injury-free so he can continue. Carrick has been filling in at centre back alongside Nemanja Vidic recently, covering for the numerous injuries we’re suffering at the back to people like Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans – allowing Cleverley a chance in the starting XI once again.

“He’s got the talent and the ability,” Carrick told ManUtd.com. “We’ve all seen that. He’s comfortable playing and dealing with the pressures that come with playing for the club in each game we play. There is no danger about that. It’s just about keeping the standards high – we set the standards and the hard part is keeping to that standard consistently,” said the midfielder turn centre back who was recalled to the England squad earlier in the month.

“There is no magic ingredient for that [consistency]”, he added. “It’s just about learning and getting experience and the more games he plays, the better he’ll play. He’s a very intelligent and clever footballer. It’s a shame the way his season panned out last year because he started so well. He’s got a lot to bring to midfield, as we all do. That’s one of the good things about our midfielders, we all bring different things when called upon which gives the manager different options which is vital given how many games we’re hoping to play this season.”