Life’s A Pitch: why all the fuss about Tom Cleverley?

You could be forgiven for wondering why so much fuss is made of Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley given he’s only ever played a handful of games for the Premier League champions.

Sure, he’s got drive and can play a nice pass. But doesn’t he need to get a full season of matches under his belt before he receives the type of acclaim that has been coming his way. Especially, given he’s been out most of the season injured, right?

Wrong, says Michael Cox, tactics guru of Zonal Marking, who divvies the Man Utd midfield into ‘runners’, ‘passers’ and in Cleverley’s case, ‘carriers’, to explain exactly why Cleverley is so important to Man Utd. And potentially England, while we’re at it.

Another United player getting us talking this week is Paul Pogba, the 18 year-old starlet who has turned his back on Old Trafford for the hefty pay packet on offer at Juventus. Mike Calvin looks at the significance of this for the Red Devils.

Robin van Persie’s future is also the subject of much debate as his contract deadline creeps ever closer. The Life’s A Pitch panel discusses the importance of him staying at Arsenal for the Gunners.

Plus, we look at all the latest transfers news, and Jonathan Wilson discusses Martin O’Neill’s ongoing battle at Sunderland to keep the gremlins at bay.

Expert pundit videos

“Van Persie has embraced captaincy more than Fabregas did”

Robin van Persie’s many goals and expert captaincy has seen his value to Arsenal rocket this season, yet his contract is running out. What should Arsenal do?
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Connor “looks like he doesn’t want the job” of Wolves boss

The Life’s A Pitch panel discusses the managerial troubles at relegation-threatened Wolves and Aston Villa.
Thankless task >

“Sad day for Villas-Boas and the way he’s been treated”

The Life’s A Pitch team assesses the fallout from yet another Chelsea manager sacking and wonders where the club goes from here.
Down and out >

Hazard to Liverpool, Arsenal want Podolski, Chamakh to Fiorentina?

Get some analysis on whether the latest transfer rumours affecting Arsenal and Liverpool are going to happen with the Life’s A Pitch team.
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Lively opinion blogs

Why Tom Cleverley is so important to Manchester United

Zonal Marking’s Michael Cox explains why Tom Cleverley is so valuable to the success of Manchester United.
Top of the class >

Arsenal have no option but to offer Van Persie what he wants

Arsenal will lose more than one of Europe’s best strikers if Van Persie leaves when his contract ends, explains Mike Calvin.
In demand >

Money talks for unproven Pogba as another starlet departs

Mike Calvin laments the arrogance of Manchester United’s class of 2012, as unproven midfielder Paul Pogba agrees a lucrative move to Juventus.
Head turner >

Relegation and gremlins proving no match for O’Neill

With Premier League survival all but secure, Martin O’Neill’s next job is to strengthen his Sunderland squad this summer, writes Jonathan Wilson.
Gremlins >

Fanzone post of the week

What a difference a game makes

Could the Baggies’ good form see them bag a top-10 finish?
Game changer? >

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