Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has asked everyone not to put the young midfielder Cleverley under the heavy burden of Paul Scholes Tag.

Ferdinand said that Cleverley will be a player of his own style and must not be compared with Paul Scholes for the lad's own good.

"If he gets near to Paul Scholes he will have done well," said Ferdinand, ahead of United's opening game at West Brom on Sunday.

"Tom will be his own player. I am sure he would rather be that than titled the new this or that.

"He has some great traits. He sees the game clearly and plays the ball forward in a nice way.

"It is a huge pressure to be tagged the next Paul Scholes."