Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Ravel Morrison, Football
Marcus Chan
The reason why former Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison ditched his surname on the back of his shirt has been revealed.
Back in 2009, Morrison signed for United as a first-year scholar before turning professional in 2010 when he was 17.
Despite being highly rated, Morrison struggled to break through to the United first team.
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In 2012, he was sold to West Ham United before spending time at the likes of Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers and Cardiff City on loan.
After joining the Hammers in 2012, Morrison decided to only have Ravel on the back of his shirt.
According to The Daily Mail, the reason behind the name change was due to him wanting a fresh start to his football career.
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After leaving United for West Ham, Morrison felt the time was right for a fresh change.
Morrison left West Ham in 2015 to join Serie A side Lazio before spending time at the likes of Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Den Haag, Derby County and most recently DC United.
In a recent interview, Morrison’s former West Ham teammate James Collins revealed the ex-United player should have been one of the best in the world.
He told West Ham Fan TV: “Ravel Morrison was the best player I’ve ever seen. The boy was an absolute joke. I’m gutted you all didn’t get to see him more than you did, because that boy should have been the best player in the world.
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“He was ridiculous. What I’d seen, Ryan Giggs, Gareth Bale, he would have been on a level with them boys.”
Collins continued: “Remember that goal he scored against Tottenham. That was just before Christmas. The club had had a bit of trouble with him, he had not been turning up for training. So he scored that goal and won the game.
“Me, Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble had him at the back of the bus and gone: 'right Rav, this is you now. Everyone is speaking about you, seeing what you are doing. Keep it going’.”
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