LAprice_ Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 After just watching Manchester United's humiliating display against Olympiacos, I thought why is it that Tom Cleverley is playing in the Champions League and Danny Drinkwater in the Championship? I believed Tom Cleverley was a brilliant player when he was with us in league 1, very good with Watford in the Championship, but at Man United it just doesn't seem to be working for him. I'm not saying he's a bad player, in fact, I think he gets a lot of unnecessary criticism. What I am saying, however, is that I don't think he's any better than Drinkwater. Of course, I'm biased; I support Leicester and yes, there is the argument that Cleverley is playing against better opposition. What do you think? Who is better?
sylofox Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Drinkwater Had a few ciders tonight and a pint of water stops the hangover.
Guest MattP Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Drinkwater can be very good and if he keeps progressing at the rate he is he might not be as far off Cleverley as most people would think in a couple of years. Matty James as well, consdiering his injuries James has played about as much football now as Cleverley had when he was here and I'd say James is at a more advanced stage that what he was. Very exciting times in our centre midfield, two very young gifted players who are only going to get better, lets hope they are running the show for a good few years.
Soar Fox Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Until Drinkwater is playing champions league football and regularly against some of the best teams in Europe it's hard to say. It's alright Drinkwater playing against the like of Jay Tabb every week, it will be a lot different to see how he'd do against the likes of Gerrard, Tourè and Hazard most weeks.
Grewks Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Why does scholes insist on wearing 'Drinkwater' on his shirt since his move to us?
ousefox Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Cleverly wasn't that good when he was here. Hardly set the world alight like some people seem to think.
Haydos Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Stupid comparison imo. He's played Championship football now, not even Premiership, let alone Champions League.
BoyJones Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Cleverley was never that good for us. Because he came from man u we look at him through rose coloured specs. In my opinIon he was a very adequate player but didn't make things happen. Drinky is far superior, dictates play, is fitter and is more a team player. NO CONTEST!
Guest MattP Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Cleverly wasn't that good when he was here. Hardly set the world alight like some people seem to think. I thought Mark Davies was better than him from the two loans spells.
sylofox Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Drinkwater can be very good and if he keeps progressing at the rate he is he might not be as far off Cleverley as most people would think in a couple of years. Matty James as well, consdiering his injuries James has played about as much football now as Cleverley had when he was here and I'd say James is at a more advanced stage that what he was. Very exciting times in our centre midfield, two very young gifted players who are only going to get better, lets hope they are running the show for a good few years. Know a few man u fans (real ones) that were gutted they had sold james. Seen some post's on here with others saying the same. I think NP has landed a gem with him and Drinky. Will say real man u fans know the squad and if they are not happy I'll take the player. Anyone that can watch the best players in the country (till this season) and get pissed at the sale of a kid must be worth listening too. James will step up nxt year as will drinkey bu feel james will show more nxt year if we make the prem.
Langston Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 I thought Mark Davies was better than him from the two loans spells. Correct. Mark Davies looked a different class to absolutely any other midfielder in that entire league though, albeit for a short spell. I love James and Drinkwater but the way Davies managed to float around with the ball at his feet was almost hypnotic. Such a shame he's been plagued by injuries, wonderful talent.
Bettsj2 Posted 25 February 2014 Posted 25 February 2014 Valencia and Young or Knocky and Dyer? Smalling or De Laet? De Gea or Kasper? We really are fvcking amazing at the minute.
dmayne7 Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Drinkwater can be very good and if he keeps progressing at the rate he is he might not be as far off Cleverley as most people would think in a couple of years. Matty James as well, consdiering his injuries James has played about as much football now as Cleverley had when he was here and I'd say James is at a more advanced stage that what he was. Very exciting times in our centre midfield, two very young gifted players who are only going to get better, lets hope they are running the show for a good few years. James is several years older than Cleverley was and played 30 championship games more than Cleverley. Can't believe this is genuinely being asked though. Cleverley gets so much unwarranted stick but he was never going to be a world-beater. He is still way above Drinkwater's level. James is the one though. If Matty spends a bit of time practising on his left then he'll have virtually no weaknesses and can be a top player.
MattGamble92 Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 To be fair if Drinkwater was in that side instead of Cleverley tonight then he'd be another one of the 11 being rediculed. As shocking as Cleverley has been for United, he proved at us and Watford that he's a class above the football league level.
woddyuk Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Hard to compare really. Clev played fairly well for us in league one in his first competitive season.Walsall and Cheltenham away isnt the nou camp though, but he was doing a great job and getting better but then got that shoulder injury so never saw the season out. He was still around the club watching the odd game with his arm in a sling when he could have just sat back in Manchester. JaySpeering did a job here too but hasn't really stepped up since. Drinky now playing a league higher than Clev did and improving all the time but he was slated last season... But now its the danny love-in every week. Good as Drinky is becoming and all the plaudits seem to be showered on him would he be that good with Kingy next to him? For me Matty James deserves far more recognition. He is a very tidy player , always available and complements Drinky very well. I just wish both would be more direct around the edge of the box rather than keep looking for a pass. To use a manutd comparison id like to see more PaulScholes than Ray Wilkins.
Babylon Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Rooney was rubbish, Vardy could be much better...
Guest ttfn Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 To be fair if Drinkwater was in that side instead of Cleverley tonight then he'd be another one of the 11 being rediculed. As shocking as Cleverley has been for United, he proved at us and Watford that he's a class above the football league level. I think you've got a fair point here, but Cleverley looks like he's gone backwards over the past couple of years (literally in the case of his passing). And this is comparing performances exclusively at United, rather than against Football League standards. Cleverley wouldn't get in our first XI at the moment.
LCCFox96 Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 I think Cleverly has been one of the main scape goats for United's poor season (obviously alongside Moyes that is). He's hardly performed miles worse than any other player but he has been pretty poor. But that's United fans who have had too much, too good, too often for too long. They don't know what it's like to lose occasionally. Cleverly is neither a bad player or the catalyst for this season. Drinkwater and James could both play at a similar level to Cleverly (performance wise not club) as they are both good enough so it's about developing them now. They are both only 24> at the end of the day. Shows the quality of the united academy as Drinkwater, James and RDL have all come from there and are 3 very key players for us now.
Simonb Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 i reckon drinky at the minute, but its hard to give a definite answer wen their playing prem opponents and the whole squads rubbish at the minute
monsgon Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Why not both? Cleverley is a fantastic player in a side demoralised, unled and badly managed. The team will be broken up in the summer. We must be preparing for next season, and whilst I won't be celebrating till its mathematically certain, isn't Cleverley a tempting target. Someone needs to put an arm around him and tell him he's not solely responsible for Fergie's retirement! Cleverley was even offered as a make weight for the Mata deal. I thought Pearson tried to buy before going in for Drinkwater - we haven't done badly with United's youth team let's hoover up the remnants before Moyes gets a chance to blow more cash. What do you think his value is now?
Fox92 Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Until Drinkwater is playing champions league football and regularly against some of the best teams in Europe it's hard to say. It's alright Drinkwater playing against the like of Jay Tabb every week, it will be a lot different to see how he'd do against the likes of Gerrard, Tourè and Hazard most weeks. Just about to say the same thing It's like the comparisons between this team and O'Neill's team as well - people have to consider what levels they were playing at, and I know you can only beat what is in front of you but the top flight obviously brings tougher challengers.
GingerrrFox Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Cleverley is a good player but he's nowhere near Manchester United or England level. He'd be solid for a team like Everton in and around that top 6 area but he's never going to cut it at Champions League or World Cup level. He's a jack of all trades midfielder, Carrick is better at dictating tempo and keeping possession, Kagawa is more creative and has the ability to dribble and cut through the defence from deep and Fellaini is a better player defensively and stronger in challenges. Cleverley is ok but he's not exceptional at any of them. I'd take Carrick, Gerrard, Wilshere, Lampard, Barkley, Milner and Shelvey over him for the World Cup.
Bert Posted 26 February 2014 Posted 26 February 2014 Cheeky summer bid for cleverleyAgree. If we go up I wouldn't be surprised to see us go back in for him.
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