Blades sign former Man United starlet Morrison

LONDON: Premier League new-boys Sheffield United signed former Manchester United forward Ravel Morrison on Tuesday.

Morrison earned a one-year contract after impressing Blades boss Chris Wilder during a trial after leaving Ostersund.

"Ravel is an undoubted talent and we are delighted that we have put together a deal that suits all parties," Wilder said.

"I've spoken to a number of people about him and it is clear that he has serious ability.

"We are getting a fantastic footballer with a tremendous pedigree and this is a great opportunity for Rav. We believe we can help him get back to the level he wants to be."

Morrison progressed through the academy ranks at Old Trafford and was described by then Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson as the most talented 14-year-old he had ever seen.

But a catalogue of off-field problems prompted Ferguson to sell Morrison to West Ham in January 2012 after he had made only three first-team appearances.

Morrison scored three goals in 18 appearances for West Ham and had loan spells at Birmingham, QPR and Cardiff before joining Lazio.

Despite signing a four-year deal with Lazio, Morrison made only seven appearances.

He returned to QPR for a second loan spell in 2017 and most recently featured for Sweden's Ostersund.