England midfielder Tom Cleverley has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.

The 22-year-old, who is currently recovering from an ankle injury, penned a deal which will see him remain at Old Trafford until 2015.

The contract is a reward for an outstanding start to the season for Cleverley, who would almost certainly have won his first England cap against Holland in August had the game not been called off.

One of the substitutes who transformed the Community Shield clash with Manchester City, Cleverley then started four successive Premier League games, including the impressive home victories over Tottenham and Arsenal, before suffering ligament damage to his foot at Bolton last month.

Since then, the 22-year-old has been sidelined, although Alex Ferguson is hoping to have the Basingstoke-born player back for Saturday’s trip to Liverpool.

“Tom is one of the brightest prospects in the English game,” Ferguson said.

“For a young boy, he has a good footballing brain which, when coupled with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a fine future ahead of him.

“It’s the United way to encourage our young players to make their mark in the first team and Tom has grabbed that chance with both hands.”

Cleverley joined the Manchester United Academy at the age of 12 years.

“It’s been a fantastic start to the season for me, breaking into the first team and getting an England call-up,” he said.

“Having grown up at the club, I’d love to be able to make a contribution to United winning more trophies. We have a squad with great ability and I can’t wait to get started again.”