Sir Alex Ferguson is arguably the greatest football manager in the history of the sport – and had a keen eye for a player.
The Glaswegian guided Manchester United to 38 trophies across his 27 years at Old Trafford, signing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney before developing them into superstars.
Sir Alex Ferguson also coached elite footballers such as Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand – but there was one talent the Scot backed to outdo any other player he worked with, who has truly failed to live up to the expectation.
Ravel Morrison now playing in the United Arab Emirates Second Division without a major trophy to his name
Ferdinand once provided some insight into just how highly Ferguson rated Ravel Morrison.
“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.”
In his 2015 autobiography, Ferguson added: “Ravel Morrison might be the saddest case. He possessed as much natural talent as any youngster we ever signed, but kept getting into trouble. It was very painful to sell him… he could have been a fantastic player, but, over a period of years, the problems off the pitch continued to escalate and we had little option but to cut the cord.”
The man from Wythenshawe was eventually sold to West Ham in 2012, where Ferguson told Sam Allardyce: “I hope you can sort him out, because if you can he will be a genius.”
Unfortunately, Allardyce was never able to “sort” Morrison out.
The midfielder was loaned out to Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff before West Ham eventually gave up and terminated his contract, prompting a free transfer to Lazio in 2015.
Remembering this sensational goal against Spurs on Ravel Morrison’s birthday 🤩#WHUFC | @HubooFulfilment pic.twitter.com/OJgTHbVwNm
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 2, 2024
Another loan spell at QPR followed – as well as a temporary switch to Atlas in Mexico – before moves to Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Den Haag, Derby and D.C. United also failed to see Morrison, strongly linked to Rangers too at one stage, shine.
Now – at the age of 32 – the Mancunian is playing for Precision in the United Arab Emirates Second Division, without a single major trophy to his name.
Gary Neville once compared Ravel Morrison to Paul Gascoigne
Not only Ferguson – who loved Dele Alli – was impressed by Morrison.
𝚁𝚘𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚢-𝚋𝚊𝚕𝚕 ™️
Delightfully finished off by @morrisonravel! 🤌 #DCFC pic.twitter.com/erpjU3nmwP
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) March 6, 2022
Before taking up his role on Sky Sports, Gary Neville spent time commentating on academy games for MUTV (Manchester United TV) – where he was blown away by Morrison’s skills.
The 50-year-old said: “Ravel Morrison’s ability was just a scandal. He was playing in a midfield three with Pogba and Ryan Tunnicliffe. All of them were outstanding, but Ravel was the principal game changer.
“He was an unbelievable talent, a Paul Gascoigne type who could beat men and score some incredible goals. There are few players in central midfield who can beat people, Ravel could drift past them.”
Unfortunately, it seems Morrison will never hit the heights Ferguson backed him to reach, as he embarks on his thirties in the United Arab Emirates Second Division.
