“I think he can become a world-class player,” Welbeck said to United Review. “Football is such a simple game, it’s how hard you make it for yourself. Tom keeps it so simple and it is hard to do that when you’re in centre-midfield, but Tom does that. He gets the ball, passes it, moves into space and he’s just always there as an extra option every time you’ve got the ball.”
Cleverley’s impressive performances in the preseason earned him a place in the Red Devils’ starting lineup to start the season. He played a key role in United’s fast start to the season, but an ankle injury kept him out for most of his team’s October games. His return to form and fitness cannot come soon enough for Welbeck.
“He’s really good to play with,” Welbeck said. “I enjoy playing with him so much and he’s got the awareness, the vision and the ability to pick out a pass and actually produce a final pass as well.
“He’s just going to carry on improving. You can see that every single day in training. He’s a really good player.”
The two players are key pieces in Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest youth revolution at the club. They came through the club’s prestigious youth academy and their off-field connection transfers to the field of play.
“We are really good friends off the field and quite a few people come up to us and tell us that it shows on the field.
“We’ve been through the same training schedule growing up through the academy, the same coaches who have taught us the same things, so we’re on the same wavelength and we know each other’s games inside out, more or less.”
Welbeck, 20 and Cleverley, 22 have recently signed contract extensions that tie them to Old Trafford for years to come.
Photo via Flickr/manchesterunitedbowie
