Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley has signed an extension to his contract at the club, which will bind him with the champions for four more years.

Cleverley is one of United's brightest prospects this season, after coming through the club's youth academy. At 22, he has alerady broken into the first team and has been called up by England after impressing so far in the season.

Club manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised the player and welcomed his decision to sign a new four-year contract at Old Trafford.

Tom is one of the brightest prospects in the English game, Ferguson told the club's official website. He has a good footballing brain which, coupled with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a fine future.

Cleverley himself was elated with how his footballing career is shaping up.

It's been a fantastic start to the season, breaking into the first team and getting an England call-up. He said.

He made his United debut against neighbors and arch-rivals Manchester City, earlier this year in the community shield, helping his side triumph 3-2 at Wembley. After stringing together some impressive performances, England manager Fabio Capello was prompted to award him his first call-up to the national team, although he is yet to make his first appearance internationally.

However, he could make his debut for England against world champions Spain, in a friendly at Wembley next month, if he recovers from a ligament damage suffered in the 5-0 win at Bolton last month.

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