Cleverley the key if Vidal move fails

Cape Town - If Manchester United fail to sign Arturo Vidal before the end of the transfer window then Louis van Gaal will rely on Tom Cleverley to anchor his midfield.

With Michael Carrick out injured for at least three months and Arturo Vidal's move in the balance, Tom Cleverley has been identified as the player to anchor United's midfield.

According to the Express, Cleverley will be given the job of holding the Red Devils' midfield until January.

Van Gaal is keen to see how Kevin Strootman recovers from injury and will likely make a bid in January for the Dutch midfielder.

Van Gaal has placed his faith in Cleverley after ruling out moves for either James McCarthyn or William Carvalho.