Alex Ferguson once described Ravel Morrison as the best youth player he had ever seen, not just at Manchester United, but in general.
And this wasn't like the time he said Phil Jones could be the next Duncan Edwards, or that Ashley Williams nearly killed Robin Van Persie by kicking a ball at him, he actually meant it and the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville have since agreed with the legendary manager's assesment.
Sadly, external influences de-railed his career and he found himself embroiled in legal trouble over numerous assault charges, with those who knew him and his situation claiming that he needed to get out of Manchester and leave the people dragging him down behind.
That looked like it was working when Morrison enjoyed an outstanding first-half of the season for West Ham in 2013 having taken a season to break into their team. But things didn't work out, and once again his attitude and desire to play football was questioned.
Loans to Birmingham, QPR, and Cardiff City did little to suggest that he could deliver on his unquestionable potential, but when Lazio signed him in 2015 it looked like he had a real chance for a fresh start in Rome. Again, it didn't work out. After 4 appearances in two years, Morrison has been looking for a new club and despite links to several Championship clubs, it now looks like he is off to Mexico.
Marca are reporting that Liga MX side Atlas have signed the former wonderkid.
The MX League will enjoy the arrival of a new star. The 24-year-old English midfielder Ravel Morrison, who is already in Guadalajara and is expected to sign his contract with the club rojinegro in the coming hours.
Arriving from Lazio comes to play with the Atlas and assume the offensive responsibility under Jose Guadalupe Cruz.
Morrison played alongside the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in the Man Utd team that won the FA Youth Cup in 2011, and he was the star of that team.
His dribbling, passing, and eye for goal had those in the England setup giddy with excitement and dubbed him the most talented English youngster since Paul Gascoigne, but potential is potential, and the fact that he has never been able to settle at a club suggests he was never cut out for the top level of football.
It will be interesting to see how he gets on in Mexico this season, but he will likely be remembered for a long time as a case of what might have been.
