The former Manchester United star felt it was necessary to depart Old Trafford and join Aston Villa to escape the negativity
Tom Cleverley of Manchester United applauds the fans after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Ham United
Tom Cleverley was happy to leave Manchester United when he did(Image: Getty)
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Tom Cleverley once admitted he was happy to escape the "negativity" that surrounded him at Manchester United during a tough period in his career. The former midfielder moved to Aston Villa on loan after a troubling stint at Old Trafford and claimed the move was "common sense" for all involved.
Cleverley joined United's academy at the age of 12 and worked his way up the ranks. He embarked on several loans with the likes of Watford and Wigan Athletic before a stint at Villa earned him a permanent switch to Everton.
Through 79 United appearances, Cleverley scored five goals and assisted strikes seven times. However, negative attention surrounding the club at the time of his loan exit in 2014 meant he was glad to see the back of Manchester.
Speaking after his deadline-day move to Villa 12 years ago, Cleverley said: "I am happy to get away from some of the negativity that surrounded me at Man United and I am genuinely excited about this season at Aston Villa. If all the players last season said they were high in confidence, they would be lying. It wasn't just me.
"It was the rest of the squad and that rubs on to players and the fans, too. It was a tough season for us but I've got away from the negativity of that and this is a brand-new challenge and I can't wait to get stuck into it.
Tom Cleverley with a trophy
Cleverley says he left United due to negativity(Image: Getty)
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"If any footballer gets a bit of stick off their own fans, they are going to be hurt but it has made me strong as a character. You don't turn into a bad player just because someone says it on Twitter."
Despite enduring a rocky time at United, Cleverley was quick to praise his then-manager Louis van Gaal. He added: "He was always straight with me. Any footballer wants the best opportunity to play every week so it was common sense for me to try and get this move."
Cleverley's contract ran out at the end of the 2014/15 season and he made it clear he didn't think he would be back at Old Trafford. He said: "With me being out of contract at the end of the year, if I'm honest, I don't think I would play for the club again."
New signing Tom Cleverley of Aston Villa poses with a match shirt at the club's training ground at Bodymoor Heath
Cleverley jumped ship for Villa on loan(Image: Getty)
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He joined the Toffees after the successful loan at Villa where he made 37 appearances and scored three goals. His stint at Villa Park ended with an FA Cup runners-up medal after suffering final defeat to Arsenal.
Two seasons at Everton followed, where he starred in 42 games and made eight goal contributions. Cleverley would end his career at Watford, where he was arguably at his best, scoring 19 goals and assisting 15 times.
He has since entered management, overseeing Watford from 2024 to 2025 before becoming the current head coach at Plymouth Argyle.