Tom Cleverley seemed to be courted left, right and centre as the close of the transfer window loomed during the summer, with Steve Bruce joining both Aston Villa and Valencia in the race for his signature. Unwanted and unloved at Old Trafford, the former England international was effectively forced out of the club by sections of the vociferous support, as he was often used as a scapegoat for the team's recent poor efforts. With Bruce keen to add to his options ahead of the club's Europa League adventure - before they were prematurely dumped out by Belgian side Lokeren - he attempted to strike a deal with Manchester United for the midfielder.
''There has been conversations between the two clubs and we did have some sort of offer, but where we are up to between the two clubs I am not too sure because I have been away in London. If there is a deal to be done to try and get somebody like Tom, then of course we would be interested.'' - Steve Bruce, August 2014.
However, despite discussions between the clubs, Aston Villa ultimately won the race for his signature, tying up a loan deal with the probability of making it permanent in the next transfer window.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
