Tom Cleverley
A technically gifted midfielder who rose through Manchester United's academy and became a dependable Premier League performer for over a decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·English association football player·Birthday: August 12·Millennials
Biography
Tom Cleverley's career is a testament to the value of football intelligence and precise passing. Heralded as a future star from his teenage years in Manchester United's academy, he seemed destined for the Old Trafford midfield. Loan spells at clubs like Wigan Athletic showcased his crisp distribution and engine, earning him a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's final United squad. While he never became a permanent fixture at the very highest level, he established himself as a quintessential Premier League professional. A move to Everton and later a long stint at Watford saw him become a midfield metronome, valued for his composure and ability to dictate tempo. His understanding of the game made his transition into coaching a natural next step. After a brief caretaker role at Watford, he took the helm at Plymouth Argyle, trading the midfield battleground for the tactical whiteboard, aiming to impart the lessons from his extensive top-flight career to a new generation.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tom was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tom Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Tom's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2012-13 Premier League title as part of the Manchester United squad under Sir Alex Ferguson.
- Earned a call-up to the England national team, making 13 appearances between 2012 and 2013.
- Made over 150 Premier League appearances across his career for Manchester United, Everton, and Watford.
- Appointed head coach of EFL League One side Plymouth Argyle in 2024.
Did You Know?
He captained the Manchester United reserve team to the 2009–10 Premier Reserve League title.
He scored on his senior debut for England in a friendly against Italy in 2012.
He played in the 2011 FA Community Shield for Manchester United, coming on as a substitute.
His first coaching role was as a player-coach at Watford before becoming their interim manager in 2023.
“A good pass is never just about where it goes, but where it allows the next one to go.”
