Blues target Ex-United contract rebel

Former Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison has emerged as a surprising transfer target for cross town rivals Manchester City. The attacking midfielder moved in a permanent deal from Old Trafford to West Ham in January 2012, but has only recently impressed with a string of exciting displays on loan at Birmingham City. The Daily Mirror expects Mancini to make a move for the notoriously troublesome youngster over the summer months.

Morrison excelled in his years in the Manchester United youth teams, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson to name him as one of the best young players he’d ever worked with. Ferguson ultimately decided enough was enough and decided that continuous off field problems and extortionate wage demands were to be no longer tolerated. Ferguson appeared much more disillusioned when losing Frenchman Paul Pogba to Juventus the following summer, having previously stated ‘we wanted to sell him (Morrison) let's be clear about that, for obvious reasons. But we want Pogba to stay because we think he's going to be a fantastic Manchester United player and hopefully that's the case.’

Roberto Mancini’s man management capabilities could probably best be described as suspect, struggling in the past with characters such as Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez and most recently Samir Nasri, in his tenure at Eastlands. It is hard to envisage the Italian disciplinarian having the patience related mannerisms required to nurture Morrison into the quality player he has long promised to be. Born in Wythenshawe, the opportunity to return to his native Manchester may however appeal to Morrison, who as mentioned, has never strayed too far from controversy.

Michael Dobson

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