Manchester United's midfielder Tom Cleverley has shut down his Twitter account after receiving abuse from fans. The midfielder discussed the abuse in an interview with Oliver Holt in the Mirror yesterday and how he feels he's been made something of a scapegoat for United's poor form. Today, he opted to shut down his Twitter account altogether.
The whole thing has echoes of Darron Gibson's memorable, first stint on Twitter which lasted all of two hours before the unholy torrent of abuse that descended on the midfielder persuaded him to close it down in the interests of his mental health one presumes.
Cleverley told the Mirror
“My job goes under the radar at times. I am not a player who’s going to beat three or four people and stick it in the top corner or go round tackling people like Roy Keane.
I would like the fans on my side and it hurts a little bit when you have grown up at the club and love the club every bit as much as the supporters.
But there are other people in the current United squad who have been through this kind of thing and they have made sure their quality shone through.
I have got to look at those people. I have learned to take it with a pinch of salt and I’m sure it will make me stronger for the rest of my career."
Here's a small flavour of the abuse Cleverley has shipped in recent times.
#AskCarrick Do you get depressed when you see Tom Cleverley's name on the team sheet and realise you have to play with 10 men?
— TheLADBible (@TheLadBible) February 3, 2014
#askcarrick if you were to pick the worst footballer you have ever met, how would you tell Tom Cleverley?
— Stifler Lombardo (@KingSizeDreamer) February 6, 2014
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 3, 2014
Manchester United essentially playing with 10 men whenever Tom Cleverley starts.
— TransferScoop (@TransferScoop) January 7, 2014
The Bleacher Report even tweeted this ppetition from United fans demanding the sale of Cleverley
ICYMI: Man Utd fans have started a petition calling for the sale of Tom Cleverley http://t.co/JO8ZeejlOb pic.twitter.com/Mlq9xAyWI6
#AskCarrick Do you die a little inside when you're looking for someone to pass to and Tom Cleverley is to your left.
— manchester is Blue (@manchesterisB) February 7, 2014
