FROM Manchester to Middlesbrough, D.C. to Derby, Ravel Morrison has enjoyed quite the career.
The 31-year-old, once likened to eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, recently joined the 14th club of his career – UAE second division side Precision FC.
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It marked the end of his 18-month spell as a free agent, which began after he was cut from Wayne Rooney’s D.C. United squad at the start of 2023.
Around 14 years ago, nobody would have guessed that Morrison’s career path could take such a turn.
Fresh out of Manchester United‘s academy – alongside Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard – the midfielder was quick to make a name for himself.
Many predicted that he would go on to become the next big thing, with former star Quinton Fortune even suggesting he was “the most naturally talented” player at Carrington.
In 2021, the ex-midfielder told FourFourTwo: “At a club like Manchester United, it’s very difficult to say who the best youngster was.
“Ronaldo was obviously incredible but Wayne Rooney was unbelievable when he arrived too.
“But then you had another special talent who hasn’t progressed as he should have done: Ravel Morrison. He was definitely the most naturally talented player I’ve ever seen, but he didn’t make that next step like Ronaldo and Rooney did. In terms of talent, he was up there with them.”
Former Man Utd acadamy coach Paul McGuinness also had high hopes for Morrison when he was a youngster.
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Earlier this year, he revealed: “He was an amazing player. And the best way to coach him was not to coach him.
“The best way was to create a game where his stuff would come out. If you start telling him what to do, he wasn’t go to be having it, you know? So he was an amazing player and I’ve had some really top players so it means that, as a coach, you learn from your players as well.
“So, in the sense that [fellow coach] Jim Ryan had a phrase. He said it’s the ‘arrogance of timing’ and so some coaches in the position thought he was being arrogant. But it was just the way he played.
“It was like Messi. He’d wait for you, wait for you to go closer and closer. Close to the fire, without getting burnt and get close, then he’d just play it. And you’d be like ‘oh, you’d better pass it now’ and he wouldn’t.”
McGuinness went on to add: “He was like, somebody do something because he was too good! And he could do those things with the first team and a lot of people say: ‘Oh yeah but he’s thrown it all away, he’s wasting it’ and so on.
“But, actually, if you know the full story from being younger, his background and different things, he may actually be one of the best performing. You know, he might actually have done well despite all the sort of disadvantages he had.”
Morrison was limited to just three first team appearances for Man Utd after making his senior debut against Wolves in October 2010.
Deemed surplus to requirements, he was sold to West Ham just over one year later for an undisclosed fee.
He made 24 appearances for the Hammers but was loaned out on three separate occasions – to Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff – during his three-year spell.
The midfielder went on to play for Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Den Haag, Derby County and D.C. United.
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But his career hit a low when he was axed from the MLS side by his former United team-mate, Rooney.
The ex-D.C. United boss said at the time: “I felt with players we were bringing in and different things you need to look at in terms of the budget, international slots, etc, it was more important I got different players in for different positions, which we felt were more important to me.”
Morrison was left without a club for over 18 months as a result.
He spent this summer training with the Professional Footballers’ Association in a bid to regain fitness.
The PFA held an exclusive pre-season camp for eligible free agents to help them find a club.
Scouts were invited to training sessions and some exhibition matches, with the likes of Dwight Gayle and Carl Jenkinson securing moves.
Although Morrison didn’t secure an EFL move, he will now get to show off his experience in Dubai.
A statement from Precision FC read: “We are beyond excited to welcome the incredible Ravel Morrison to Precision FC!Â
“This is more than a signing – it’s a statement, a game-changer for both our club and football in the UAE.
“Known for his electrifying talent and skill, Ravel brings world-class experience and flair that will help our team to achieve it’s goals.
“This is the start of something extraordinary. Welcome to the family, Ravel!”
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