Ravel Morrison faces familiar problem as Wayne Rooney emulates Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United's all-time leading scorer and current DC United head coach Wayne Rooney has explained his decision to omit former Old Trafford man Ravel Morrison from the club's Major League Soccer squad, leaving the midfielder seemingly at another career crossroads.

Morrison was not involved in the season opener against Toronto, which Rooney's side won 3-2 after scoring twice in injury time. And reports Stateside in the build-up to the game claimed the 30-year-old is not in the club's plans or even in their roster of players, meaning he would be ineligible to play despite still being under contract.

Morrison appeared to have revived his career under Rooney at Derby County last season, scoring five goals and assisting a further four in 38 appearances for the then Championship club. After the club's relegation to League One, he left at the end of his contract and reunited with Rooney in the MLS. The Jamaica international featured in all 14 of the remaining matches of last season, scoring twice.

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The midfielder remains under contract until the end of the year but players not named in the roster are ineligible to play and so Morrison would only be able to train with his team-mates. The transfer window remains open until April 24 should a move arise for the Manchester-born player.

For the United academy graduate, seeking pastures new is a familiar prospect. He has played for 13 clubs across seven different countries and three continents since his career threatened to take off at Old Trafford. He was highly regarded coming through the Academy and made three senior appearances.

But he ultimately departed as Sir Alex Ferguson, somewhat