Tracking Tom Cleverley: Ajax – The Return Leg

The team lines up before kick-off. Photo: Michael Regan (Getty Images)

Cleverley made his first start for United against Ajax tonight for the first time since his injury at the Reebok in October.

After he received the call from Stuart Pearce into the England Senior squad, Cleverley would have been keen to impress on the night to show just why he was given the nod. With a midfield partner of Park, the pressure was on Cleverley to be the pillar in the midfield that both dictated and controlled the play, as Carrick was finally given a rest after a long stint without a break.

The initial setup saw Cleverley play as the more advanced of the midfield pairing and it was hardly unsurprising. Parkplays centrally in the same fashion as he does across the pitch, biting at the heels of opponents with his unrelenting energy and tracking back, leaving Cleverley in the more central position to allow him to bring the play forward.

With an early goal from Chicharito after some nice central play, it gave United the breathing space on the night to simply control the game. The first glimpses of Cleverley brought nothing spectacular with simple possession play bringing calm to the team. On the 15 minute mark, Tom showed the characteristics of his all-round game after he won the ball back, played a neat one-two with Rafael before darting into space and bringing the ball back into the middle. A lovely bit of play.

As the game reached the 30