Tom Cleverley says he does not blame Louis van Gaal for ending his 13-year stay at Manchester United but intends to prove the Dutch manager wrong by winning back his place in the England squad.
The midfielder, 25, joined Everton on a free transfer in the summer after spending last season on loan at Aston Villa, and is set to make his debut against Stoke City in the Barclays Asia Cup, in Singapore, on Wednesday. He said: “I’ve got no regrets whatsoever about leaving Manchester United. Louis van Gaal was always very honest with me which is the most that you can ask as a player.
“I spent 13 years there and it’s been a massive part of my life. There were plenty of ups and downs and winning trophies, which I will never forget. They were some of the best days of my life and I will always look back with fond memories.”
There was clearly no future for Cleverley at Old Trafford and that feeling was only reinforced last weekend when Van Gaal completed the signings of the midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. Cleverley added: “It’s harder for young players to break through now but Van Gaal does give younger players a chance so it is possible. It’s exciting times for their club and I wish them all the best but I’m concentrating on Everton now.”
The 2013 Premier League winner is hoping that a good season could lead to more England caps to add to the 13 he has, the last in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in 2012.
Aside from Van Gaal’s plans, the key for choosing Everton over Villa was the Goodison manager. “I’ve worked with Roberto Martínez before at Wigan and was excited to get back with him,” he said. “Everton have got a great squad with great fans and a lot of history so it was a decision that was easy to make to come here. Just at the end of the season I got back in the England squad and I want to get some more caps, obviously.”
