The nomadic career of Ravel Morrison continues as the 29-year-old joins his 13th club.
Wayne Rooney has bought the maverick midfielder to DC United after his appointment by the Major League Soccer club earlier in July. Former Manchester United academy prospect Morrison was with Rooney at Derby County and clearly did enough to impress, meaning he will cross the Atlantic as he still looks to prove his endless talent can be unlocked.
A teenage sensation born in Wythenshawe and destined for the top, things have not panned out the way many expected and he may well go down as one of the great lost talents of his generation. Morrison's ability was such that Paul Pogba was his understudy as a teenager - not the other way round.
We've been treated to glimpses of what might've been over the past decade or so. Morrison's solo goal for West Ham at White Hart Lane back in 2013 was perhaps the highlight of his career. This came shortly after his departure from Old Trafford, with Sir Alex Ferguson unable to nurture Morrison's talents in the same manner he did so many promising youngsters.
Leaving his mark
There was much anticipation about Morrison's United debut. He'd been training with the first team at the age of 16 - and was far from out of his depth. Instead, he left Darren Fletcher embarrassed as he made light work of the step up.
He never made a Premier League appearance for the Red Devils, with all his outings coming in the League Cup, the first against Wolves. The following morning, he would make his gratitude known to Ferguson, something that hasn't been forgotten by the Scot.
He shared a story with Rio Ferdinand, saying: "My first and last impression of Ravel as a young lad was that he has always got time and space, always available to be on the ball, so unusual for a young lad of his age. Another thing about Ravel which I've always treasured, because no other young player who made their debut did this.
"After the first game in the first team that he played, the next morning he came into my office and gave me a letter, thanking me for giving him his debut. I was gobsmacked, Rio. The boy had a good heart, he was just beaten by his background."
Talent not enough
Despite all that, though, there is a school of thought that suggests Morrison perhaps has himself to blame for relying too much on his talent. The best nowadays are renowned for putting in more hours at the training than anyone else but several will argue that, as a teenager, Morrison was able to bypass the concept of graft with his outrageous talent.
"Mentality, for me, outweighs talent," Ferdinand told Copa90. "Look at Ravel Morrison. This guy was the best young kid that I've ever seen in my life. Better than Joe Cole was when he was a kid. Ravel Morrison, I've never seen a guy look so comfortable on a football pitch."
A former youth teammate also commented on the reason for his career going the way it has. "Maybe his lack of work rate, his talent just outshone on that. He could've gone on to be one of England's best players," he said.
It echoes the thoughts of former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder, who in 2019 was the latest man to take a punt on Morrison. He would sign a one-year deal with the Blades, making four appearances before being loaned out after just six months. His then-manager was asked to describe the midfielder in five words.
Wilder said: "Unpredictable, maverick, humble, a natural, and frustrating." That is a recurring theme throughout the 29-year-old's career. A blend of compliments and criticism with a dose of reality. Soon after that short stint in Yorkshire, Rooney, desperate for players, took his chance on him.
Will we see the best version of Ravel Morrison in the MLS? Have your say in the comments!
Rooney hope
Morrison signed with Derby, who remain in huge financial turmoil, and last term played 38 times in all competitions - the highest number in a season of his eventful career. He will now follow Rooney to the MLS with a change of scenery perhaps the best thing for him.
In the States, the former United man won't have to deal with the constant 'what could've been' narrative which may free him up to play his best football. DC United general manager Lucy Rushton said: "Ravel is a dynamic and exciting player who has experience performing at the elite levels in Europe and Mexico.
"He is a top-class midfielder with excellent technical ability and positional versatility. His game intelligence and all-round attacking ability allow him to fit perfectly in the system and style that Wayne wants to play. We look forward to integrating him with the roster and having him contribute on the field as soon as possible."
