Tom Cleverley has no regrets over Manchester United exit

Everton midfielder Tom Cleverley says he does not blame Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal for his departure from Old Trafford.

The England international rose through the ranks at Manchester United after joining as an 11-year-old trainee in 2000 but was released by the club in the summer after he was deemed surplus to requirements by Van Gaal.

The 25-year-old opted to reunite with Everton manager Roberto Martinez, his former boss during a one-year stint at Wigan Athletic, after spending the 2014/15 season on loan at Aston Villa. The Toffees are in Singapore to participate in the Barclays Asia Cup.

"I've got no regrets whatsoever about leaving Manchester United. Louis van Gaal was always very honest with me which is the most that you can ask as a player," said Cleverley, while taking part in a Premier Skills community event in Singapore, according to the Guardian.

"I spent 13 years there and it's been a massive part of my life. There were plenty of ups and downs and winning trophies, which I will never forget.

"They were some of the best days of my life and I will always look back with fond memories."

United have strengthened their midfield ranks with the acquisitions of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, from Bayern Munich and Southampton respectively, and Cleverley fears it may be harder for academy players to break through to the first team at Old Trafford in the coming years.

"It's harder for young players to break through now but Van Gaal does give younger players a chance so it's possible," he noted.

"It's exciting times for their club and I wish them all the best but I'm concentrating on Everton now."

The midfielder said he was looking forward to playing for Martinez again and that he was keen on earning a recall to the England side, having last played for the national team in a World Cup qualifier against San Marino in 2012.

"I've worked with Roberto Martinez before at Wigan and was excited to get back with him. Everton have got a great squad with great fans and a lot of history so it was a decision that was easy to make to come here," he said.

"Just at the end of the season I got back in the England squad and I want to get some more caps, obviously."