Manchester United have accepted an £8million bid for youth product Tom Cleverley from Aston Villa – and Red Devils fans have hit Twitter to see him off.
The much-maligned midfielder has been the target of OId Trafford boo boys since he returned to the club from a successful loan spell at Wigan Athletic in 2011.
While Cleverley initially flourished under legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson, his meandering performances frustrated United fans as he typified the doomed David Moyes era with dismal displays alongside fellow clogger Marouane Fellaini in the centre of the park.
He was even the target of an e-petition to keep away from the England squad, a campaign that found success as Roy Hodgson opted to leave him off the plane to Brazil while the Three Lions floundered at the World Cup.
And United fans were happy with Ed Woodward’s business (for a change) on a day which saw Argentina superstar Angel Di Maria welcomed to the club.
On the other side of the exit door, Cleverley departed and fellow flop Wilfried Zaha moved closer to a return to Crystal Palace.
Rumours also persisted around the futures of Shinji Kagawa, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck as Louis van Gaal looked to cull his misfiring squad after the embarrassing 4-0 rout at the hands of League One MK Dons.
But the news that Cleverley was going to become a literal Villian instead of the metaphorical one he has been for his Red employers.
Cleverley was excellent in his 1st season back from Watford but IMO the weight on his shoulders was too much for him
— Liam Whelan (@liam11) August 28, 2014
days dont get much better than wilfred overrated zaha and tom sideways cleverley both leaving the club
— Byron (@byronbutter1986) August 28, 2014
However, one fan warned that an ex-Old Trafford favourite, former skipper and claret-and-blue number two Roy Keane, is waiting for him with his trademark icy stare.
Roy Keane will absolutely murder Tom Cleverley.
— Sabih (@9Sabih) August 28, 2014
Other supporters questioned the funds lavished on the 25-year-old.
Genuinely feel sad that Villa are spending 8 million on Cleverley. I would have sold him for a bag of potato chips. #MUFC #ByeCleverley
— Karan Singh (@karansp98) August 28, 2014
I don’t want to live on a planet where Tom Cleverley is being paid to play football… goodbye
— Harry Dolan (@HDolan11) August 28, 2014
Tom Cleverley moving to Aston Villa for £8,000,000?? Is it April 1st already?
— Chris Rowley (@chrisrowley4) August 28, 2014
With fears that the England man could make a return to the Theatre of Dreams, Reds devotees also called for Van Gaal to continue his fire sale in a bid to trim the squad of deadwood.
I hope United aren’t doing a 28 day full refund guarantee policy on Cleverley…
— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) August 28, 2014
Fuck me Zaha and Cleverley gone. If Anderson goes I will ejaculate #mufc @ManUtd
— stevie (@StevieUnited) August 28, 2014
But not all United fans had their knives out for Cleverley and some wished him well as he brings his 14-year stay at the club to an end with 54 appearances and three goals to his name.
And some even suggested that the dissenters in the Stretford End may have gone too far with their dogged criticism of the midfielder’s exploits.
Wish cleverley the best and actually think he’ll do good at villa! Playing with players on his level or below it’ll raise his confidence
— Viva Di Maria! (@RoheelH777) August 28, 2014
All the best for Cleverley. Sad to see an academy lad leave but not quite up to it. I think he’ll prove a more than decent player at Villa
— Will McRae (@Will_McRae) August 28, 2014
Abuse Cleverley has had to endure has said far more about his abusers than it has about Cleverley. Occasionally ashamed to be a Red #mufc
— Chris Stratford (@CStrattoYPSport) August 28, 2014
Aston Villa fans were less forgiving and many seemed underwhelmed with their new man – especially when they look set to fork out £3million more than Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich did for Real Madrid’s talismanic creative midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Wherever this rumour is coming from it’s saying we’re paying £8mill for Cleverley?! Fuck that! Get me Xabi Alonso instead
— Tom Kite (@tom_kitty1) August 28, 2014
Image courtesy of Born Red MUFC via YouTube with thanks
