Ravel Morrison – where to start.
After all the speculation, the column inches, the press conference questions and fan opinions, Manchester United’s most shining prospect in the last decade has left Old Trafford without ever actually kicking a ball in the Premier League. Since Morrison turned 18 last February, he has rarely found himself out of the newspapers, sadly for all the wrong reasons. Morrison’s inability to stay on the right side of the law has proved a downfall during his progression at the club, coupled with an attitude that didn’t appear to value the fortunate position he was in, has seen him sign for West Ham United and thus out of Fergie’s ranks for good.
It could have been so different. It has been well documented that the club have tried and tried again to intervene in Morrison’s extra curricular activities, as did his fellow team mates. Now the Wythenshawe born local lad has taken himself away to London to attempt to resurrect a career that looked as though it could have been over before it even started.
Ferguson says Morrison will be “better out of Manchester.” But no doubt he has wondered what might have been. Just like the rest of us. Morrison’s raw attacking talent has often been forgotten by those who aren’t savvy on the United youth and reserve sides. He remains an excellent prospect and West Ham, in many ways, are extremely fortunate to have signed the youngster.
Following the transfer Morrison declared on his Twitter that he was now seeking first team opportunities, something he wasn’t afforded at Old Trafford having made just three substitute Carling Cup appearances during his career. The club have severed ties permanently, not even including a buy back clause on the player.
No doubt the hope from West Ham is that Morrison’s entourage does not follow him down to the capital. Focusing on his football for an extended period is exactly what all parties want. There was almost a desperate hope from United supporters to see the lad succeed at United, but towards the end, even our patience was waning. On the brink of the first team just prior to United’s Carling Cup exit to Crystal Palace in November, Morrison went AWOL from training for five days following the match. It appeared to be the last straw for United, who had stuck by him during a range of both criminal and internal club disciplinaries.
Sam Allardyce, a close friend of Ferguson’s, will have no doubt got the lo-down on Morrison before allowing him to sign on the dotted line. But what could Ferguson actually tell him? We tried, we failed? As some have understandably asked, if Fergie couldn’t tame him then who can?
Ferguson said United offered him a new contract but clearly the pull of title races, medals and European football was not enough for Morrison, whose contract was set to run out this summer.
It won’t be an easy ride for Allardyce, the club or the Hammer’s fans, but there is little doubt that Morrison could still go on to achieve great things. Sadly for United it could never happen whilst he remained in Manchester. It would have been detrimental for United to keep Morrison tied to a contract, after all, what kind of message would that send to other youngsters trying to force their way up the very competitive ranks at Carrington?
Truth be told I am sure I speak for most United supporters when I say it’s a massive shame things didn’t work out between United and Morrison but his transfer is certainly best for the club. He is no longer our problem. But I do harbour a hope that one day he returns to Old Trafford to face his former club, look around at a packed out stadium singing the name of another United star and think ” look what I could have had.”
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