Manchester United Handed Major Fitness Boost Ahead of Liverpool Fixture

Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley is fit enough to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday, according to The Sun.

The prodigiously gifted 22-year-old was the catalyst behind Manchester United's breath-taking start to the defence of their Premier League title, but his season was curtailed following a typically robust challenge from Bolton Wanderers' Kevin Davies. The midfielder made his comeback against Everton at Goodison Park on October 29 but he suffered a reoccurrence of the injury and has not featured for Sir Alex Ferguson's side since.

Cleverley was the 19<sup>th man for Manchester United on Sunday and was due to play for the reserves on Monday but for the game's postponement.

The player is unlikely to start the match given his lack of competitive action, but the aforementioned source intimates he is available for selection and is likely to be amongst Manchester United's substitutes for the game at Old Trafford.

Last month, Ferguson suggested Cleverley would inevitably benefit from playing alongside Manchester United great Paul Scholes and more importantly, the youngster's return would provide the club with a timely fillip as the season reaches its climax.

"Cleverley will be desperate to play with Scholes and Paul is a player he could learn from, I'm sure," Ferguson said, according to The People.

"But it will be just great to get Tom back because he's special.

"I saw signs of what he brings to us earlier in the season when he was in the team.

"He gave us something we've not had before in terms of his creative ability and linking with the front players, so it will be good to have him back."