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Ex-Man Utd wonderkid Ravel Morrison set to face his former team in behind-closed-doors clash for unemployed XI
Alex Ferguson hailed Morrison has the 'most gifted' player in United's academy
RAVEL MORRISON is set to face Manchester United U21s in a pre-season friendly with other free agents this evening.
The 31-year-old has been without a club since leaving DC United last year.
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In a bid maintain fitness, Morrison has spent the last few months training with the Professional Footballers' Association.
As preparations for the 2024-25 campaign continue, the midfielder has been named in a PFA squad that will face Man Utd - his former club.
Scouts from various clubs will be in attendance to watch the 18-man squad of free agents in action.
Morrison is the most high-profile name in the squad given his vast experience in the Premier League and Championship.
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He kicked off his professional playing career with Man Utd after joining the club's academy as a teenager.
In the early days of his time at Old Trafford he was considered one of the club's most promising players.
Legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have called the attacking midfielder better than club legends Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs when he was a youngster.
Speaking in 2018, Rio Ferdinand said: "I was at the club when he was there. Probably the most gifted, the most naturally gifted young kid I've ever seen.
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"Sir Alex Ferguson, I remember he called me and Wazza (Rooney) over one day and said 'look at this kid, he's better than you Rooney when you were a kid, he's better than you Rio, better than Ryan Giggs when you were kids. This is the best kid you will ever see'."
Morrison made just three appearances for the Man Utd first team before joining West Ham in January 2012.
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He played 24 times for the Hammers but was sent on loan three times - to Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff - during his spell in east London.
The midfielder has also spent time with Lazio, Atlas, Ostersund, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, ADO Den Haag, Derby County and DC United.
Another team of PFA free agents took part in a match against Stratford Town on Tuesday.
Ex-Chelsea star Todd Kane and former Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark were among the players.
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