Spurs Defeat Hurts Cleverley

Tom Cleverley has admitted that the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham has left a "sour taste" in the Manchester United players' mouths.

The midfielder felt the Reds began the first game of 2014 well, only to be undone on the break by goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen. Danny Welbeck pulled one back but was unable to prevent a fourth home loss as penalty appeals by the striker and substitute Ashley Young were rejected.


"I think what has hurt us most is knowing we were in good form with six wins on the bounce," Cleverley explained. "It was really a chance to get momentum against one of our rivals and we haven't managed to do that. The way we lost leaves a sour taste in our mouths.

"We had a great start and won four or five corners in the first half an hour or so. It felt like we were really on top. The goals killed us a little bit but I still feel we didn't deserve to lose the match anyway. Obviously, there I felt there were some poor decisions and we didn't get the rub of the green.

"I don't think [it's the case that] the decisions have to go for us. I just think the right decision has to be given on the day. Hopefully they do even out because we're due a few."

The focus now shifts to the domestic cup competitions with Swansea City heading to Old Trafford on Sunday in the FA Cup before the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final at Sunderland on Tuesday.

"One hundred per cent what we're looking for [is to bounce back in the cups]," added Cleverley. "We're looking to the next game and aiming to win in the FA Cup and then have the League Cup semi-final. So there is plenty of silverware up for grabs, we've just got to take each game as it comes.

"A lot of players in the squad haven't won the FA Cup. But, myself, I've not won a lot of things so I just want to win as much silverware as I can. That's the aim.

"Growing up as a lad, the FA Cup final was an iconic thing but the run starts on Sunday and hopefully we can progress."