Boy managed to get earl to follow orders (4)
I believe the answer is:
obey
'follow orders' is the definition.
(to obey someone is to follow their orders)
'boy managed to get earl' is the wordplay.
'managed' is an anagram indicator.
'to get' indicates putting letters inside.
'earl' becomes 'e'.
'boy' anagrammed gives 'oby'.
'oby' placed around 'e' is 'OBEY'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for obey that I've seen before include "Heed" , "Hear" , "Act in accordance with (law)" , "Do as ordered" , "Comply with (instructions)" .)