By Matt Lawton and Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 1:31 AM on 20th January 2012
Ravel Morrison has stunned Manchester United by demanding 30,000 a week, despite the teenager making just three first-team appearances.
Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his exasperation with the talented but troubled 18-year-old, describing his demands as 'unrealistic'.
High price: Ravel Morrison has made just three appearances for United
Sportsmail understands United have offered Morrison 12,000 a week - an amazing salary for someone so young - and while the player has denied rejecting a new offer, there is now understood to be an impasse. It is not clear if the 30,000-aweek demand includes bonuses.
But talks with Morrison's advisers have gone so badly United have reached a position where they would be prepared to let him go, even though he is rated the best player to come through the club's academy in years.
From Longsight in Manchester, Morrison was the star of United's FA Youth Cup-winning team and has been branded the new Paul Scholes.
Hot prospect: But United could let Morrison go
But his short career has already been tainted by a series of disciplinary problems - from using his mobile phone on the bench during a reserve game to more serious issues with the police. Among them was a caution for assaulting his mother and he has been urged to seek counselling.
Such is his talent, Ferguson would like to see him remain at United. But he has disrespected coaching staff on Twitter, even provoking a response from Wayne Rooney when he said he could not wait for the season to end. Rooney suggested he could be gone before then.
Ferguson has said he believes Morrison's representatives are already looking for another club and Newcastle have expressed an interest.
On Twitter yesterday, Morrison dismissed reports that Manchester City was another possible destination.
Such is his notoriety, though, that former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan took to Twitter this week to ask Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville if the teenager was any good.
Neville suggested Morrison was a 'huge talent' and Ferdinand enthused about his 'huge potential'. But the England defender summed up the dangers facing Morrison as he weighs up the possibility of a future away from United.
'I've told him what I think of him and what he needs to do to fulfil his potential,' said Ferdinand. 'It would be a big waste if it all goes ***s up.'
Two years ago Ferguson told a small gathering at a friend's birthday party that Morrison, then just 16, was the 'best I have ever seen at that age'.
It was a remarkable assessment, given the players that have come through the system at Old Trafford during his 25 years in charge.
Morrison's list of indiscretions is so long now that Ferguson is close to giving up on him. And one prominent reserve player moaned privately: 'Why do United fans worry about Ravel when he can't be bothered getting out of bed to go to training?'
Sell him off the need be.. No one is bigger than the CLUB!
- Mohit Mehta, Oman, 20/1/2012 05:33
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