Manchester United transfer rumors: Ravel Morrison reportedly being tracked by Barcelona

Ravel Morrison is a good young player. This good young player is out of contract at season's end. Naturally, good teams are tracking the youngster. Now that we got that brilliant analysis out of the way, we can bring you the information that Morrison is being tracked by the likes of FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain according to a report by Sky Sports. As mentioned, Morrison's contract with Manchester United is due to expire in the summer and thus, other clubs are free to begin contract negotiations with the youngster as of this month.

Morrison was a vital part of last season's FA Youth Cup winning side and he's thought to be possibly the brightest prospect out of United's youth academy since the early 1990s days of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, etc. However, the 18-year-old has had some highly-profiled legal trouble and this certainly has to be a concern for the club. He has only featured twice this season for United's first-team -- both as a substitute in Carling Cup matches -- and it would be fair for one to wonder if his legal troubles, or perhaps the possibility of a focus issue, has hindered his progress or opportunity. If Morrison feels slighted at all by United, then maybe this could cause him to have wandering eyes -- or perhaps his agent could cause this. There are probably many important details that provides context that we aren't privy to.

Morrison is scouted to be a versatile attacker -- capable of coming in from out wide or playing centrally in the space between the lines -- and his technical ability is considered first-class. Paul Pogba, United's other very highly-rated youth player that is thought to be close to breaking through for first-team football -- has also caused rumblings that he may be leaving Old Trafford due to either wage demands or a desire for more first-team football. Quite obviously, no one wants these talented starlets leaving the club -- especially on a potential free transfer -- but should the club cave in to wage or playing time demands? I say no but the situation may not be as black or white as this. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has proven to be a master in handling these sort of situations over the years so hopefully he can strike up some sort of connection with the youngsters. If Morrison is to leave on a free to a non-English side, then United would at least be compensated £300,000 for development costs.