West Ham United chairman David Gold has warned Ravel Morrison not to waste his career.

The Upton Park chief insists that the 20-year-old can go as far as he likes in football but must not make any more mistakes after a troubled time at Manchester United.

Gold said that the youngster must now take responsibility for himself and compared him to Paul Gascoigne and George Best.

"It's up to him now," Gold told The Mirror. "He's 20 years of age and he can be anything. I truly believe we have a young genius emerging.

"He's gone past the stage where people have told him you can be a star and it's completely 100% in his hands. That happens to a lot of players.

"It happened to Paul Gascoigne and to George Best. It was in their hands. Yes, they need help in their teens but once they are in their twenties it's up to them."

Morrison played in West Ham's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City yesterday evening.