It’s horrible to think that some players leaving Manchester United and remember being criticised by our own fans. You just know that Harry Maguire will be the very same and I don’t think United fans are to blame as much as England fans or a number of media companies.
We know that a playing career is something that passes by in an instant. Just think about the amount of players you remember watching throughout their entire career, and it will probably make you feel old.
Tom Cleverley has done an insightful interview with the Manchester Evening News about his time at Old Trafford. He speaks about being criticised by his own fans.
After suffering with the bad times following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Cleverley gave insight into receiving heat from the fans at games.
“We played Chelsea and Liverpool early and I did a fairly good marking job on Hazard at home, but then I didn’t do much with the ball. It was the same against Anfield, it was Coutinho that time, and again, I didn’t have much effect on the game with the ball,” Cleverley said.
“From there I lost rhythm, lost confidence and I hold my hands up my level wasn’t high enough for what was expected at that club. It was a disappointing season, to go from first to seventh, knocked out of the Champions League, not even a cup final, it was just not normal for that club.
“The fans let us know all about that. It scarred me for a little while. It was the club I loved and spent 12 or 13 years at, when the fans turn against you, it’s not nice, but I was young to deal with it.”
The Academy graduate made his Manchester United debut in August 2011 against Man City in the Community Shield. As a 21-year-old, Cleverley came on at half-time with the Blues 2-0 up. Chris Smalling scored and Nani got two to secure victory at Wembley.
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