Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley says he joins Great Britain's Olympics squad with manager Sir Alex Ferguson's approval.

He admits he needs "minutes" after last season's injury-plagued campaign.

Cleverley told the Manchester Evening News: "The manager (Sir Alex Ferguson) was happy for me that I was shortlisted and had no problems about me being in the Olympics if chosen.

"I will miss United's pre-season tour and, ideally, I would have liked to do both. But after my injury spell out last season, Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were doing so well I didn't get much game time.

"So I need minutes on the pitch and I feel that playing in high-stake competitive matches like I'll get at the Olympics is right for me.

"I am very excited about it and I just want to have a good tournament. It's a fantastic opportunity and a great boost."