It is set to be a summer of major upheaval at Manchester United, with it widely expected that a host of new players will end up at Old Trafford in the club’s efforts to put forward a Premier League title challenge in 2015-16.

Naturally there will also be a selection of the current Red Devils’ crop that will be deemed surplus to requirements and hence leave the historic club.

One man that appears to have no future with his boyhood club is Tom Cleverley, with the England international out of contract this summer and set to take on a new challenge elsewhere. The 25-year-old’s career to date has been one of stern contradictions.

At one point, after impressive loan spells elsewhere, Cleverley was being touted as a potential replacement for Paul Scholes in the club’s midfield. Following the veteran’s retirement and his potential successor’s return to Manchester following a successful loan spell at Wigan, the sky was the limit for Cleverley.

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He was afforded an opportunity to play by Sir Alex Ferguson and initially looked the part in United’s boiler room. Bringing energy and dynamism not unlike that shown for so many years by Scholes, it is fair to say that most of the Old Trafford faithful thought they had another homegrown hero on their hands.

However, following debilitating injuries that prevented his progress at both club and international level, Cleverley’s fortunes have plummeted since.

Under David Moyes, the England international was singled out by the United fanbase as offering little in the way of either battling or creative qualities, with Cleverley become a scapegoat for the club’s woes last season under the Scotsman.

Louis van Gaal took over in the hotseat last summer and immediately froze the midfielder out, with a loan stint this season at Aston Villa affording him the chance to play more regularly.

Although his form for the Birmingham-based side has been patchy at times, Cleverley has reminded the footballing public of his abilities over the last month to six weeks, with much improved displays.

The 25-year-old has chipped in with a number of important goals that have played their part in keeping Tim Sherwood’s men in the top flight and the signs are there that Cleverley can restore his somewhat tarnished reputation.

The Basingstoke-born man should have plenty of options this summer when selecting a new employer, especially given the fact that he will be available on a free transfer. A continuation of his midfield partnership with fellow Three Lions international Fabian Delph would be a promising move, while the likes of Everton, led by former boss Roberto Martinez, have also been mentioned as having an interest.

One way or the other it has become painstakingly clear that Cleverley will not become the next Paul Scholes in the United midfield.

However, he still has all the qualities to be a shrewd acquisition for another Premier League club this summer and has shown recently that he has the hallmarks of an international-quality footballer.

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