What's The Big Deal About Ravel Morrison?

Ravel Morrison has been handed shirt number 49 ahead of Manchester United’s League Cup game against Wolves tonight. This came as somewhat of a surprise considering the manager is keen to keep him out of the limelight and the hushed concerns over his attitude.

Whilst his off field persona needs cleaning up, people can’t speak highly enough of the Longsight lad’s ability on the pitch. From fans watching the Reserves, to referees at academy level, to rival coaches at clubs like Liverpool, to the press, this lad is repeatedly tipped for the top.

He may just be an unused sub and we’ll have to wait longer for his début, but for Ferguson to put him in the squad perhaps indicates a change in the youngster’s attitude. This 17-year-old has already got plenty of people talking.

The Independent – Five young players to watch in 2010

A powerful young footballer who can play in midfield, on the left wing and off the main striker, he has the ability to make it one day in the United first team – and he might just be in contention for a Carling Cup place next season.

He certainly has all the natural attributes of strength and pace. Once Morrison gets his chance for United he will face inevitable comparisons with the likes of Ryan Giggs but there are plenty who feel he has what it takes.

Stretford End – Reserve profile

His obvious strength is his style of play. He possesses skills but he enjoys teasing opposition players by giving them half a chance to get close or win the ball. He is quick but has a very handy sudden burst of pace that he uses to skip away from players having drawn them in with his lazy style. He plays with a very nonchalant attitude, he rarely looks like he is in a hurry but he is able to spring counter attacks so quickly. These strange factors put together make him unique to watch and a nightmare to play against. Of the more basic footballing skills, he excels when it comes to passing. He has a superb range and plays with his head up often trying balls that don’t appear to be possible. He’s always looking and calling for the ball so he can control the tempo of the game. He’s not afraid to shoot and has found the net from long range on a few occasions. Although he sits deep he times his runs into the opposition penalty area very well and is particularly good at halting a run to find space just on the edge of the area. Finally he has a good physique. He is still young and will have a lot of physical development to go but over the summer he looks to have broadened and added some muscle to his frame.

Stretford End Arising

Ravel Morrison happens to be one of the most naturally gifted players ever to come through the academy at Manchester United. Ravel’s skills bring to mind Cristiano Ronaldo, as he’s known to produce sublime moments of magic suddenly from nothing. He is capable of playing down either wing, as a striker or as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. He has pace to burn and is known to have a party trick.

Ravel is currently only 17 years old, he has already signed professional forms and is currently playing for the reserve side. Ravel though had been known to have had some troubles in his past, which he seems to have solved. The start of the 2010-11 season has so far seen a more mature and responsible Ravel. He seems to have developed physically over the summer as well.

Ravel has been prolific so far in the pre-season and has become a regular fixture in the reserve team – very impressive for someone so young, clearly showing how highly he is rated within the club. His performances during pre-season have been excellent – if he is able to maintain this form, a call up to the seniors won’t be entirely unexpected. Morrison might be a key player for England too in the coming years.

Henry Winter – What Sir Alex has done for English football deserves respect

[Sir Alex Ferguson should be credited with] cultivating Ravel Morrison as a potential gem for 2014.

Better than Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere, certainly up there with Jack Rodwell, if Morrison does emerge as the pre-eminent English footballer of his generation, it will be because of a certain Scot’s shrewd guidance.

Mark Ogden – Can Sir Alex’s starlets raise the bar?

King, Cofie and Keane are proving prolific goalscorers, while Petrucci and Pogba are showing signs of developing into dominant midfielders whose progress will not be kept under wraps for too much longer.

But the real excitement surrounds Ravel Morrison. Born in nearby Wythenshawe, is already a star of YouTube as a result of the stunning goals he has scored from midfield.