Sam Allardyce: 'Manchester United could return for Ravel Morrison'

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he is fearful of losing Ravel Morrison to Manchester United.

The Hammers signed the 20-year-old attacking midfielder from the Red Devils in the summer of 2012 for a fee of around £650,000, and the youngster has impressed so far this season.

"I don't know if there is a buy-back clause and what that figure might be if it even exists," Allardyce told reporters. "But my real big worry is that Manchester United will come back to buy him.

"Look at what happened when Chris Smalling played a handful of games for Fulham - United jumped in with £10 million. Then there was Phil Jones when I was at Blackburn – that's what you are up against."

A recent report has claimed that West Ham were lining up a new contract for Morrison, who scored in their 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.