Former Man United man Ravel Morrison signs for Derby in bid to resurrect once promising career

Wayne Rooney has added former Manchester United midfielder Ravel Morrison to his patched-up Derby squad.

Morrison signed a one-year contract ahead of the Championship opener at Pride Park against Huddersfield Town after spending a period on trial at the club.

It is Rooney’s fourth signing in two days as he scrambles to sign players on short-term deals after a summer under a transfer embargo.

Morrison is the fourth signing Derby coach Wayne Rooney (right) has made in two days

Centre-halves Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman, and goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, all signed on the eve of the campaign and were available to play against Huddersfield.

Morrison, 28, left Manchester United in 2012 for a career which has promised far more than it has ever delivered.

His last club was Den Haag in Holland. Derby will be his ninth club in English football.

Morrison’s career has taken him around the world, including stints in Mexico, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Morrison came through Man United’s youth ranks but left in 2012. Derby is his 13th club

Morrison began pre-season with Derby in July and played in several friendlies, including facing United plus LaLiga side Real Betis.

Speaking about the midfielder earlier this summer, Rooney said: 

‘I think with Ravel, he’s very misunderstood. His ability is clear for everyone to see. 

‘Since he’s been with us, the standards in training have gone up. There are things he does on and off the ball that I can recognise immediately. That’s where he’s brought the levels up in training.’