Manchester United legend Gary Neville has leapt to the defence of Ravel Morrison, insisting it was challenges in his personal life that lead to his downfall, rather than a bad attitude.
The 27-year-old was regarded as one of the club's biggest talents by Sir Alex Ferguson when breaking through the youth system at Old Trafford.
However, Morrison lost his way in the game and has since had 11 different clubs and currently finds himself on loan at Middlesbrough from Sheffield United.
Morrison responded to comments from Wayne Rooney on Monday, who used him as an example that talent must be matched by hard work in order to make it at the top of the professional football games.
Although the former United youngster agreed with Rooney's comments and admitted he should have gone further, Neville believes Morrison's failure to live up the expectations were due to challenges within his personal life.
"I remember categorically Sir Alex Ferguson saying this (Morrison) was the biggest talent he had seen at the club since Ryan Giggs and that is an enormous statement," Neville told Sky Sports' The Football Show.
"I used to commentate on MUTV and the academy games for a number of years whilst I was playing at United. That year they won the Youth Cup, I commentated on many of those games where Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison were all playing. Will Keane, Michael Keane, it was a really good era for Manchester United for producing young players.
"Ravel was special, really special. I've still kept in touch with Ravel throughout all these years, not often, but I've always had a soft spot for him. I don't think it was down to his attitude, to be honest with you.
"I think Ravel had some serious complexities and challenges in his life that I think any of us would have found difficult to deal with. Ultimately, from that point of view, it's meant he hasn't achieved what he could have achieved.
"Hopefully, I don't think he'll ever get to the top, I don't think he'll play for England like he could have done. There was a point where he was playing for England Under-21s and West Ham up to Christmas under Sam Allardyce where he looked like he was getting it together.
"What I would hope is he can have a stable life and a stable football career. Off the back of it, he needs something he can focus his attention on. For me, the most important thing for Ravel Morrison is he has some stability in his life to go and enjoy the next 30, 40 years, 50 years he is going to live.
"He's got big challenges and I hope he can play football for a few more years. He is a big talent."
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