It was only 18 months ago that Manchester United signed Wilfried Zaha and were reported to have acquired the services of one of English football’s brightest young stars. Now something of a forgotten man at the club, the winger must wait and see if he is part of new manager Louis van Gaal’s plans for next season.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle would be interested in taking Zaha if he is unwanted at Old Trafford. Despite paying a fee that could rise to £15 million for him, it is possible that a move could benefit both United and the player. If van Gaal is not planning to use the Crystal Palace academy graduate then his value would only decrease, as he would become older without gaining much more playing experience.
A loan spell at Cardiff during the second half of last season allowed Zaha to build on his two substitute appearances for United, his only Premier League action for the Red Devils, but the Bluebirds’ eventual relegation will have done little to motivate him. With things having hardly gone to plan since moving to Old Trafford, the player now finds himself in desperate need of a confidence boost whether it comes from United or elsewhere.
Zaha made his debut for England in late 2012, but that will have seemed an eternity ago as he watched the Three Lions in Brazil this summer. The 21-year-old can only get back to enjoying that sort of honour if he is at a club willing to give him regular gametime.