Manchester United wonderkids are somewhat of an enigma. From the class on \u201992 to being credited with \u2018making\u2019 Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney into the players that they were, The Red Devils have a rich history of developing young talent.<\/p>\n
Not everyone is a Paul Scholes, however. Some players make a huge splash in the youth teams, come into the first team with a lot of momentum and then never make the cut. One such player is Ravel Morrison.<\/p>\n
Read More:<\/strong> Manchester United Wonderkids you haven’t heard of yet – Shea Lacey<\/a><\/p>\n Once described<\/a> as the most talented boy he had seen during all his years in charge, it\u2019s safe to say that legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, was high on the prospect.<\/p>\n Born in Wythenshawe, Morrison signed for Manchester United on a youth contract on his 17th<\/sup> birthday. Not unusual for Manchester United under Ferguson, the youngster made his first team debut in the League Cup, having already played for England under-16s on two occasions.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>Best Chelsea Players to Wear the Number 7 Jersey Ever<\/a><\/p>\n His first season would see him score against Chelsea and twice against Sheffield United in the FA Youth Cup, helping the young Reds to the title. The team included names such as Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba.<\/p>\n The following season, Morrison would go on to make a further two League Cup appearances from the bench, but never lived up to the expectations that many had for him at Old Trafford. He wasn\u2019t going to be a Scholes, a Giggs or even a Robbie Savage (a man who came through United\u2019s academy alongside the Class of \u201992 but moved on to have a solid career elsewhere).<\/p>\n So that was that for Ravel Morrison, a Manchester United wonderkid, who many believed could go all the way. Having made just three appearances for the club that gave him a chance, he was sold to Championship side West Ham in an interesting deal. Although the up-front fee was an undisclosed one, The Hammers would have to pay United \u00a325,000 for every appearance<\/a> he made.<\/p>\n But why didn\u2019t it work for Morrison? Paul Scholes recalls<\/a> him refusing to warm up for a reserve game, leaving the game and going home \u2013 a clear attitude problem. He would also have issues staying within the law, with a 2011 guilty plea of witness intimidation.<\/p>\n Morrison’s attitude issues would continue into his time at Upton Park. The former United man would sometimes miss training because he had been playing on his PlayStation all night. Speaking to The Athletic<\/a>, he stated that sometimes he just “couldn\u2019t wake up sometimes” \u2013 Not the attitude any manager wants from a 19-year-old.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong>The Greatest Footballers of All Time: Part Two, 1918-1939<\/a><\/p>\n Even after being loaned out to Birmingham City to gain experience and despite playing regularly, Morrison still had further issues with his attitude under Lee Clark. He would return to West Ham, scoring on his debut and going on to win the goal of the season award for The Hammers; however, it would be loan moves to QPR and Cardiff City, whilst at West Ham, where Morrison truly strived and found his level.<\/p>\n Morrison\u2019s contract at West Ham was terminated early, allowing him to train with Lazio, a club with which he had already agreed a pre-contract agreement previously. The Englishman lasted just four games for Lazio, reportedly becoming unsettled away from England. He was criticised by his coach<\/a> for not speaking Italian, and by January 2017, less than a year after signing for the Italian giants, Morrison would be loaned back to QPR.<\/p>\n After just five appearances for his former, London-based club, they opted against a \u00a32 million fee to sign him, seeing him loaned out to Atlas in the Mexican league. Less than eight full years into his career, the former Manchester United wonderkid was playing in the little-known Liga MX.<\/p>\nManchester United Wonderkids \u2013 Ravel Morrison<\/h2>\n
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