Redknapp: ‘Only Way is Down’ if Ravel Morrison Leaves Manchester United

Jamie Redknapp believes Ravel Morrison would be foolish to leave Manchester United this month, because after Old Trafford the 'only way is down for him'.

The prodigiously gifted 18-year-old is yet to commit his long-term future to Manchester United amid reports the midfielder's wage demands far exceed the Red Devils' stringent wage structure for players in Morrison's age bracket.

Sir Alex Ferguson complained on Friday that the youngster's agent was complicating negotiations with Manchester United and revealed the club have rejected an audacious offer from Premier League counterparts Newcastle.

The aforementioned Sky Sports pundit believes Morrison should think twice before leaving Manchester United given their status in English football. Redknapp suggests there are very few clubs in world football who could offer Morrison what he currently has at Old Trafford, inferring the player would be taking a backward step in his career should he engineer his escape from United.

"You might not have heard of Ravel Morrison, aged 18, but when I was at a function for Sportsmail's Jeff Powell with Sir Alex Ferguson, he described the precocious midfielder as 'the best I have seen at that age'." Redknapp told the Daily Mail when discussing the Manchester United starlet.

"Now it seems he wants to leave. Is he getting the right advice? If he wants to leave for money, I urge patience.

"The only way is down for him from Manchester United."

Reports over the weekend intimated both Arsenal and Barcelona are also interested in the Manchester United sensation.

The player's allegedly 'unrealistic' demands has placed further strain on an already fragile relationship with Manchester United, but the youngster's potential has heightened the scrutiny surrounding Morrison.

His well-documented off-field issues have been coupled with some internal ill-discipline at Manchester United, and although Morrison denied reports of a contract offer via his personal twitter page on Thursday, the protracted nature of their proceedings suggests the midfielder could leave Old Trafford in the next few weeks, or on a free in six months' time.