The energetic midfielder burst onto the scene with Manchester United and England at the start of the 2011-12 campaign but he honed his skills on-loan with a number of clubs, including the Foxes for a 15-game spell in 2009. Cleverley joined in January 2009 on a deal that was meant to run until the end of the 2008-09 season, but a shoulder injury meant he returned to Old Trafford early, much to the disappointment of Leicester fans.

He still collected a medal at the end of the campaign for helping the Foxes to promotion from League One, scoring twice in his 15 appearances for the club. City fans were keen to see him return the following season but United instead sent him on a season-long loan to Championship rivals Watford. A loan stint at Wigan Athletic following the next season before Cleverley got his chance with United.