Tom Cleverley has used one Manchester United legend under Sir Alex Ferguson as an example of how he became “thick-skinned” after his playing career.
The 35-year-old former Manchester United star took his first steps into management back in March after he was appointed interim head coach at Watford.
Tom Cleverley’s successful stint as interim manager led to his permanent appointment as Watford manager back in April, having retired as a player in 2023.
The Watford manager was part of the last United team to win a Premier League title in 2013 under Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired at the end of the 2012-13 campaign.
Ferguson handed Cleverley his United debut after the former Watford star rose through the ranks of the Red Devils’ youth academy.
The 82-year-old United legend had tipped Cleverley to be a top midfield prospect, but the ex-Red Devils player failed to live up to the high expectations placed on him.
Cleverley talks Man Utd legend
Tom Cleverley made 79 appearances for United and continued to play at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
However, the former England international was unable to establish himself under David Moyes or Louis van Gaal and Cleverley left United in 2015 for Everton.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Cleverley admitted that he has seen both the highs and lows with different teams compared to the likes of Ryan Giggs.
The ex-Watford and Everton midfielder played alongside Ryan Giggs, who enjoyed incredible success under former United manager Ferguson, at Old Trafford.
Giggs spent his entire playing career at the Red Devils and the 50-year-old Welshman lifted all of United’s 13 Premier League titles.
The United legend, who captured two Champions League trophies, is the club’s all-time leading appearance maker and Giggs played in 957 matches for the Red Devils.
“We can tag people as experienced quite a lot,” Cleverley said.
“Someone like [Ryan] Giggsy who was at the same club, same demands to win trophies, high pressure and, yes, he is experienced. But he has not experienced relegation battles.
“I feel for my 400 games in senior football I experienced a lot of good and bad and that has made me thick-skinned going into my career.”
Cleverley on Man Utd and post-Old Trafford career
Cleverley admitted that United “suffered badly” in the season after Ferguson’s departure and he felt that he “continued that decline at Everton.”
“The league-winning season [2012-2013] was the best experience,” he added.
“The next season was the worst. We suffered badly after Ferguson’s last season and personally I suffered badly. Then I continued that decline at Everton.
“Loved my time at Aston Villa, and then had seven great years at Watford. I came here as a Premier League player and I left as a Championship player. That didn’t sit right with me. I had some unfinished business with the club.”
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