Ravel Morrison reflects on his time as a Manchester United academy prospect and names an ‘unbelievable’ teammate from that time he felt was destined for an amazing career.
Many Manchester United fans will tell you Ravel Morrison is the best player they’ve seen play for the youth teams.
Morrison is now 32 and recently joined the Arabian Falcons from fellow UAE Second Division side Precision.
Despite having the world at his feet at United as a youth player, Morrison went on to become one of football’s biggest ‘what if’ stories.
Morrison went from winning the FA Youth Cup at United in 2011, outshining teammates Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard, to becoming a journeyman.
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The other clubs Morrison has played for (not including loans) include West Ham, Lazio, Östersund, Sheffield United, ADO Den Haag, Derby County, and D.C. United.
Morrison has remained opinionated on all matters United, especially on his podcast appearances to date.
Those media appearances are likely to increase once Morrison hangs up his boots.
Ravel Morrison hails ex-Man Utd academy teammate Will Keane
Morrison isn’t the only footballer to be an exciting prospect in United’s academy before failing to reach his full potential.
The Jamaican international had behavioural issues that didn’t help his development at Old Trafford, even though Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to give him chances to prove himself and become a better player.
Other youth players can struggle with injuries, form or being in the wrong environment.
It’s a heartbreaking story when it comes to Will Keane because the striker had world-class potential that was derailed significantly by an injury.
Keane suffered a cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, missing out on 15 months’ worth of football as a result of recovery.
While Keane became a United academy graduate with three first-team appearances, he has not reached the heights many expected him to.
Morrison has been reflecting on Keane’s potential in the academy, hailing the Republic of Ireland international, who has thus far made five appearances for the Boys in Green.
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When he was asked which player should have gone on to do better things in their career from his United youth days, Morrison said (via Filthy Fellas podcast): “Probably Will Keane. Yeah, he was unbelievable.
“Injuries, he was probably better than Michael [Keane] at one point, Mike is very good now, but he was better than Mike at one point, but if you had to say one was going to make it, it would probably be Will.”
Keane has been playing for Preston North End since 2023 following spells at Hull City, Ipswich Town and Wigan Athletic.
Wayne Rooney signed Ravel Morrison twice
Morrison may have a questionable reputation, but that didn’t stop former United striker Wayne Rooney from signing him twice.
Rooney brought Morrison to Derby County before taking him to the United States when he was in charge of DC United.
In an interview with The Athletic during the summer, Morrison stressed that he has had good relationships with all of his managers, name-checking Rooney.
“I’ve got on with every manager I’ve played for: Wayne Rooney, Lee Clark, Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough), Chris Wilder (Sheffield United), Harry Redknapp (Birmingham), Ian Holloway (Queens Park Rangers), many others, too. Despite what people think of me, I have never had a toxic relationship with any manager, ever.”
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