Cleverley happy to play his part
February 23, 2012 09:25:35 UK
Tom Cleverley is poised to feature against Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday, and is determined to keep his talented feet firmly on the ground.
The Manchester United starlet admits he has been flattered by all the praise aimed in his direction from observers who have tipped him to be the eventual successor to Paul Scholes.
It has been massively frustrating to be out for that length of time, but now I feel fresh.
Tom Cleverley
The 22-year-old started the season in impressive form, pulling the strings in the middle of the Reds' midfield, but a series of ankle injuries has hampered his progress for the last three months.
Cleverley is expected to be handed a start against the Dutch giants, with United, who are 1213.00 to win the competition, taking a comfortable 2-0 first-leg lead into the return tie. They are 10.00 to win 3-0 at Old Trafford, while an Ajax victory by the same scoreline is at 81.00.
The burden on his shoulders has been reduced to a large extent, following the decision of Scholes to come out of retirement back in January.
And Cleverley insists he won't let the platitudes get in the way of him continuing to make the right kind of progression under boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The England hopeful says: "I don't really listen to it. I just go out and try and play my football. I am just working hard and keeping fit. I am excited to be able to play a part in the final stages of the season.
"It is really good to be back. It has been massively frustrating to be out for that length of time, but now I feel fresh."
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