EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Morgan Stanley (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 28, 2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Philip J. Purcell, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/    PHILIP J. PURCELL        

Philip J. Purcell

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: April 6, 2005