In March 2013, former Manchester United youth duo Ravel Morrison and Wilfried Zaha clashed on the pitch during a 5-0 thrashing of Lithuania
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Wilfried Zaha and Ravel Morrison scuffling with each other on the pitch while Nathan Redmond breaks them up during the England U21s 5-0 victory over Lithuania in 2013
The incident turned physical after comments from both players
Ravel Morrison has played down his scrap with Wilfried Zaha following their infamous clash during an England U21 match in 2013.
The Young Lions had dominated the match, winning 5-0 against Lithuania at home, but the confrontation between Morrison and Zaha stole the headlines. The tension between the two players, who both played for Manchester United at different times, boiled over on the pitch and was captured on live television.
Morrison took offence to a comment made by Zaha, leading to a few shoves being exchanged between the pair. Moments later, Nathan Redmond intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
In 2021, Zaha, who is now a star for Charlotte in the MLS and an Ivory Coast international, claimed the clash was down to his frustration with Morrison's alleged selfish play.
However, Dubai-based footballer Morrison has now spoken out about the incident, claiming that the physical exchange was exaggerated by both the media and Zaha himself.
Wilfried Zaha.
Wilfried Zaha spent time at Manchester United
Speaking on the Undr The Cosh podcast, Morrison spoke about the tensions surrounding the pair after the game. He said: "No. He didn't come into the changing room after that, but there was no back and forth or anything after that. There was nothing. The conversation was done. It happened on the pitch and it stayed on the pitch.
"There was nothing in the changing room, there was no awkwardness or anything. You can ask all the U21s that was there. There was nothing in the changing room after. I've never understood it really."
Ravel Morrison.
Ravel Morrison was part of United's youth team
Zaha had previously shared his experience of the altercation on the On the Judy podcast in 2021. Describing the tense moment, he said: "He (Morrison) was just getting me mad. He was moving like he was Ronaldinho and the rest of us were just no one.
"He was getting the ball and he was just doing tricks and the only time he passes it is if he really needs to. We're just stood there with our hands on our hips while he's going past six Lithuanian players. And it's just like, 'What are you doing?'
"It was that easy - the team that we had, we had such good players and we can all do that, we can all hog the ball and go past all of them but we're not doing it. We're trying to be professional, play properly, but he was just on his own thing.
Wilfried Zaha and Ravel Morrison scuffling with each other on the pitch while Nathan Redmond breaks them up during the England U21s 5-0 victory over Lithuania in 2013.
Wilfried Zaha and Ravel Morrison got into a scuffle on the pitch
"I just had enough. I was like, 'What are you doing?' And out of the blue he just pushed me. I'm like, 'Are you dumb?' So I pushed him back and it was just nonsense on the pitch. Then when you go inside, the man is silent."
In response to Zaha's comments from 2021, Morrison suggested that they discuss the incident on a podcast. Reflecting on Zaha's account of the incident, Morrison added: "I think that thing (the scuffle) was blown out of proportion.
"I think even from his side, he's come out and done something after it again. It was never that deep. Me and Saido Berahino, we were both on two goals. Obviously, you shouldn't really do it, but the game had like 15 minutes left.
"We were talking and saying, 'Who can get the hat-trick?' We were both trying to get a hat-trick, so I think I hit one outside the area and, from there, it just tipped him over the water. Even in that game, there was no, 'Oh, pass me the ball.' It was like that one split-second in the game."