Tom's Got Star Quality

Tom Cleverley's burgeoning reputation among United fans as a potential future star has been corroborated by the man who can give him his break at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson says the promising 21-year-old midfielder needed regular football, so the decision loan him to Wigan Athletic rather than sit him on the sidelines was a necessity.

However, Sir Alex revealed that the Basingstoke-born attacking midfielder could be recalled in January when, with the benefit of six months of Premier League football, he’ll be ready for a shot at making the grade with the Reds.

"We’ll probably bring Tom back in January," Sir Alex says in the new issue of Inside United, on sale now.

"Tom’s going to be a great footballer, I really like him. I’ve heard the fans are starting to talk about Tom, and I think they’re right to do that because he could very well be the next top player to come through the ranks."

Cleverley's summer loan move to the DW Stadium was something of a u-turn as he had been expected to stay and fight for his place in the competitive midfield slots at United.

But Sir Alex explains that he did not want to stunt the United Academy graduate's progress by leaving on the bench or, worse, in the stands.

"When we signed Bebe it gave me a problem in terms of our 25-man Premier League squad. Not because Tom is ineligible – he’s young and English so he fits nicely into the criteria – but because he was an extra player and somebody else to keep happy and find a spot for.

"I felt it could be hard to give him enough football. I think five or six months on loan could really help him – he’ll benefit from first-team football in the Premier League."

Cleverley, who has previously enjoyed successful loan stints at Leicester City and Watford, has only made one appearance for the Latics so far this season after sustaining a knee injury. But he is expected to return imminently for Roberto Martinez’s side, where he can continue to progress on a rapid trajectory.