Tom Cleverley Keen to Leave Manchester United and Join Aston Villa on Permanent Deal

Tom Cleverley says he would definitely consider leaving Manchester United on a permanent deal to join Aston Villa.

Cleverley, 25, joined Villa Park on a season-long loan deal having failed to win over new manager Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

He was one of 16 departures from the club this summer, as the Dutchman sought to reshape his squad.

But Cleverley's move has seen the midfielder rediscover his form playing alongside Fabian Delph and Ashley Westwood in the Villa midfield.

With Van Gaal's rebuilding job at United likely to continue over the next couple of transfer windows, Cleverley is already looking ahead to his long term future and has no qualms about cutting ties with United.

"It is a classy club," Cleverley said of Villa, speaking to the Daily Telegraph.

"I've always come to Villa Park growing up as a kid to watch United in semi-finals and England games so I knew it was a big club.

"Could I stay here? Yeah definitely, I'm enjoying myself, We have a great midfield and I like working under the manager and Roy (Keane) so why not?"

Cleverley's former United teammate Danny Welbeck was another be shipped out by Van Gaal during a summer of transition at United, joining Arsenal for £16m.

The England international was criticised for failing to prove himself during his three years in United's first team by the former Netherlands boss. But Welbeck has already begun to prove his former manager wrong with a stunning hat-trick against Galatasaray midweek.

"I always knew he would do [well]. He's a great player and a great lad," Cleverley continued when asked of Welbeck.

"Wenger's comments that he didn't realise how technically good he is and how quick he is – I don't think people do until you actually work with him.

"He's technically very good. Great players in teams that create that many chances will always score goals. I think he will score loads."