Tom Cleverley needs full season at Manchester United - Nicky Butt

Tom Cleverley needs an injury-free season to cement his place for Manchester United and England, says former United midfielder Nicky Butt.

Cleverley, 23, struggled to have the same impact against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday.

Butt said: "He needs a good season where he plays 30 or 35 games.

"He had a few injuries in his early days, but he's got to a level now where he needs to get games under his belt."

Cleverley has made only 12 competitive starts for United, while he was only winning his third senior cap against Ukraine.

His performance in Moldova drew praise from England boss Roy Hodgson, but the former Leicester, Watford and Wigan loanee was unable to match that display on Tuesday, missing three excellent first-half opportunities to score.

Butt, who played 387 times for United and has 39 England caps, told BBC Radio Manchester: "Tom can be a great player. His ability is there for everyone to see.

"He's a phenomenal young footballer and he's at the right club to develop, with the right manager, the right coaches and the right players around him.

"He's one of those players who can go on to great things but he needs a good run in the team and to get used to playing week in and week out for a massive club."