Ravel Morrison
Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison is a special talent, but is he worth £30,000 a week? REUTERS

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp believes Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison could enjoy his breakthrough season at Old Trafford in 2012, if he can put his well-documented off-field problems to one side.

The hugely gifted Manchester United player is one of the most vaunted young talents in the country and widely considered the finest starlet to come through their academy since the likes of Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and David Beckham emerged in 1992.

Morrison's personal life has been plagued by a series of alarming developments and the aforementioned Tottenham manager believes if the midfielder can curtail his disreputable reputation then he could thrive at Manchester United next year.

The Tottenham boss believes everything is in place at Manchester United for Morrison to thrive and intimates Sir Alex Ferguson is the perfect figure to coerce and nurture the very best of him.

"One of the most exciting youngsters causing a stir is a left-sided attacker at Manchester United called Ravel Morrison." The Tottenham manager told The Sun. "By all accounts he really is something special. But search the internet for details of his career so far and you'll probably come up with more about the lad's ability to get himself into trouble.

"I just hope Morrison sorts himself out because there is nothing worse than seeing great talent wasted.

"This lad could be the great success story of 2012 - or the saddest waste of talent." The Tottenham manager continued when discussing the latest prodigy to emerge at Manchester United.

"All the talk out of (Manchester) United is this 18-year-old wide player is the best young talent to emerge from the club's academy since Paul Scholes, and that really is saying something."

Although Morrison's ability is undoubted, his off-field actions have raised serious question marks about his Manchester United future, and Redknapp fears the 18-year-old's issues could hinder the potential development of one of the country's brightest young talents.

"But it seems there is a major problem with his attitude. So much so they're not even sure if he they will be giving him a new contract at Old Trafford in the summer." Redknapp continued when discussing the Manchester United prospect.

"He's already had a couple of run-ins with the law and a lot of people at the club are questioning his desire to become a top professional.

"But Alex Ferguson raves about this lad whenever I talk to him. And if anyone can sort Morrison out, then it's Fergie. I don't know the kid and he's only made a couple of Carling Cup appearances but I really hope he can sort himself out and fulfil everyone's expectations of him."

Morrison made his Manchester United debut as a substitute against Wolves in the Carling Cup in October 2010, and featured recently against Aldershot and Crystal Palace in the same competition. An England youth international, the Wythenshawe born starlet received a 12-month referral order after allegedly admitting two counts of witness intimidation.