Image Credits: Getty Images
Manchester United have recently seen the return of one of their most promising academy stars, taking on the Red Devils in a pre-season friendly.
The United Under-21s squad had a fixture set up against the Professional Footballers’ Association. The PFA are a squad made up of free agents who have no club to train with, as a way of maintaining fitness.
A squad of 18 free agents took on the United Under-21s, including one former United star who once showed an incredible potential.
Ravel Morrison returns to face United
United academy graduate Ravel Morrison was the most high-profile name on the PFA’s team sheet, having clocked up experience in the Premier League and Championship amongst other leagues.
Morrison was a major talent in the United academy, with the club regarding him as one of their most promising youngsters.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand commented on the praise that Sir Alex Ferguson gave Morrision, saying: “I was at the club when he was there. Probably the most gifted, the most naturally gifted young kid I’ve ever seen.”
He continued: “Sir Alex Ferguson, I remember he called me and Wazza (Rooney) over one day and said ‘look at this kid, he’s better than you Rooney when you were a kid, he’s better than you Rio, better than Ryan Giggs when you were kids. This is the best kid you will ever see’.”
Unfortunately when he was promoted to the senior team, his career never quite reached the heights that were expected of him.
The midfielder only made three appearances for the Red Devils before being bought by West Ham United in 2012 for approximately £650,000.
At West Ham, Morrison made 24 appearances, grabbing five goals and two assists, however most of his time was spent out on loan. Unfortunately even on his loan spells at Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff, Morrison still struggled for game time.
Upon his return from Cardiff, the midfielder found himself without a club for six months until Lazio picked him up in July 2015.
The star’s time in Serie A was much like his previous experiences though, only playing eight games for the club before he was found back out on loan to QPR and then Mexican side Atlas before joining Swedish side Ostersund on a free transfer in February 2019.
July 2019 saw the midfielder arrive at Sheffield United when he again went on loan, this time to Middlesbrough.
On returning to The Blades, Morrison found himself in a run of free transfers from ADO Den Haag to Derby to D.C. United.
Now, after leaving D.C. United in January this year, the free agent is back to face his former club.
A PFA pre-season squad of 18 will take on Manchester United’s U21s tomorrow afternoon. pic.twitter.com/4PTmsO9DfT
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) August 6, 2024
from the first 45 as a PFA pre-season squad take on #MUFC’s U21s. pic.twitter.com/wMu9RbY9kk
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) August 7, 2024
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