Manchester United Youngster Powell Looking to Follow in Cleverley's Footsteps

Manchester United loanee Nick Powell is looking to leave the same impression Tom Cleverley left at Wigan Athletic en route to becoming a regular for club and country.

The Latics sealed a sealed a season long loan move for 19-year-old Powell on transfer deadline day after the England U21 international agreed with David Moyes that a move away for more first team football opportunities was his best option.

His United teammate Cleverley opted for a similar move during the 2011/12 season, joining Wigan for a season where he excelled in his influential midfield role, before returning to Old Trafford the next season to stake a claim for a starting role for both United and England.

Powell is hoping his career can follow a similar trajectory.

"I spoke to Clevs (Cleverley) before I came here and he told me how great his time at Wigan Athletic was and how it helped his development," Powell told Wigan's official website.

"Hopefully I can follow his example and return to Manchester United after a successful season here and as a better player."

Powell, who was signed from Crewe Alexandra for a fee in the region of £5m last summer, introduced himself in style on his United debut as he rifled a sublime long range effort into the back of the net to complete a 4-0 win over none other than Wigan.

"I've got good memories already of playing against Wigan Athletic, after scoring on my debut at Old Trafford last season, but hopefully this season I can bag a few more goals for Wigan and show everyone what I can do.

"I spent over ten years at Crewe and they moulded me into the player I am today. I would say I'm a goal scorer, an attacking midfielder who loves to get forward and make things happen, hopefully I can bring that out here at Wigan Athletic."

After his spectacular debut Powell made just one more Premier League appearance for United against QPR, in addition to two Champions League appearances and two in the Capital One Cup.

With competition for places in midfield and his preferred attacking midfield berth harder to come by this season in Moyes' inaugural campaign as United boss, both player and manager felt a loan switch was necessary.

"I also spoke to David Moyes and we both agreed that I needed more game time which was the only thing missing from last season, so hopefully I can get that here and do the business for Wigan Athletic.

"You always need experience if you're going to become a better player, no matter what division that might be in. I've played in the Premier League with Manchester United and League One with Crewe Alexandra, and now I'm getting a taste of the Championship where I hope to prove myself."