Tom Cleverley (FILE)

Cleverley signs 4-year deal with Man United

Tom Cleverley has signed a four-year deal with Manchester United, tying the midfielder to the Premier League champions until the summer of 2015.

The 22-year-old Cleverley broke into United's first team at the start of this season and earned a maiden call-up to the England squad, but has been sidelined in recent weeks with an ankle injury.

United manager Alex Ferguson says Cleverley is "one of the brightest prospects in the English game" and has a "footballing brain which, when coupled with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a fine future."

Cleverley, who spent last season on loan at Premier League side Wigan, has been touted as a long-term replacement at United for the recently retired Paul Scholes.

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