NEWCASTLE United have mothballed their interest in Manchester United wonder kid Ravel Morrison – until the summer at least.
United made an offer for Morrison which was rejected earlier in the month but have not followed up their interest and have informed the player’s camp that they cannot offer him the first-team football he needs to take on his career.
The prospect of making more starts was one of the main reasons the 19-year-old was interested in moving to the North East, but the signing of Papiss Demba Cissé and the re-emergence of Hatem Ben Arfa has changed the landscape at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are also unwilling to match Manchester United’s valuation of the player, who they believe is worth £4million despite his lack of first-team experience.
Boss Alan Pardew is understood to have voiced reservations about where the player would fit into a group that has benefited from tremendous unity in the year since he took charge. A trip to Tenerife, which ended yesterday, strengthened those bonds.
With that deal off the cards, United are looking at other attacking possibilities with Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez both understood to be on Newcastle’s list of targets. A senior United source told The Journal nothing was imminent on either.
United were interested in Morrison because he offered a potentially sizeable sell-on valuable if he progressed as football insiders believe he can. He is a troubled individual though, and Manchester United have become tired of the hassle that comes with the player some believe is among the most naturally gifted ever to come through their academy.
