Sheffield United left-back Enda Stevens has admitted Derby County midfielder Ravel Morrison has a 'wow factor' as he spoke to Yorkshire Live, in a warning to his Blades teammates ahead of their fixtures with the Rams this afternoon.

The Manchester United academy graduate linked up with Old Trafford legend Wayne Rooney, who decided to take him on trial after seeing the 28-year-old excel as a youngster under Sir Alex Ferguson, previously being dubbed as one of the best players the Scotsman had ever seen.

However, his personal life proved to be a major barrier to any progression in his career after becoming an England youth international and has had spells out in various countries since including Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands.

 

 

With his career failing to be revived at then-Eredivisie side ADO Den Haag, having his contract terminated by mutual consent in January after making just five appearances during the 2020/21 campaign, he was reportedly near the front of the queue to receive a deal at Derby after impressing on trial at Pride Park, subject to EFL clearance.

The governing body had a tight grip on the Rams who were placed under a strict transfer embargo during the summer - and because of this - he was unable to sign a contract in time for the East Midlands side's opening league game of the 2021/22 campaign.

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However, he remained patient and finally signed on the dotted line on 7th August, arriving on a one-year deal and making seven appearances for the Rams thus far.

Recording two goal contributions in these games, the Jamaican international has already made a good impact under Wayne Rooney and looks set to start at Bramall Lane this afternoon.

Enda Stevens, who spent time with Morrison in South Yorkshire between 2019 and last year, has nothing but praise for his former teammate and said: "He's a player who has every attribute.

"He's got a real footballing brain and he does things on the training pitch where you just stand back and say 'wow'.

"He just has that wow factor.

"At Man United there was a lot built up on him and he maybe didn't exceed what people's expectations were, but he's a great lad and all the lads who have played with him do not have a bad word to say about him.

"He just needs to find a place where he's comfortable and play a lot of games, showing what he can do.

"He's an experienced guy, he's travelled around the world playing football and played for some massive clubs.

"Derby are a massive club and it won't phase him one bit where he is."

The Verdict:

Ravel Morrison seems to have finally settled down at a club. It's probably far too late for him now to fulfil the potential he once had, but there's definitely time for him to salvage something from his career and under Wayne Rooney, there's no better man to do it under.

The 28-year-old probably idolises the Derby boss after graduating from Manchester United's academy, so it would be a major shame if the East Midlands side were to drop down into League One and either he or Rooney leave the club.

At this stage, the Championship is the perfect division for him, he seems to have the right teammates with the likes of the talented Tom Lawrence beside him and without doubt, he also has the perfect manager to thrive under.

It's also good to see Enda Stevens speaking out on his viewpoint of Morrison, because after his legal troubles earlier in his career, there is an understandable scepticism about his character and his lack of first-team football throughout his career has portrayed him in an even worse light.

With the Rams only being able to tie him down to a one-year deal because of EFL restrictions, his long-term future remains uncertain but if Rooney ends up moving to another Championship side after his Derby County tenure, you certainly wouldn't rule out the midfielder joining him.