MX23RW : Thursday, February 6 11:08:11| >> :60:519:519:

Wilfried Zaha: 'Manchester United move came too early in career'

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha confesses that he was out of his depth when joining Manchester United earlier in his career.

Wilfried Zaha has described himself as a "totally different player" to the one that joined Manchester United from Crystal Palace in 2013.

The Ivory Coast international was left frustrated during his short stint at Old Trafford after famously becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing as Red Devils boss.

Zaha returned to Croydon a year later and is now seen as one of the top wide players in the Premier League, earning links to more big-name clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City ahead of the summer window.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 25-year-old confessed that his switch to United came too soon in his playing career.

"Me going to a big club when I was like 19 or 20, I didn't know what to expect, how to behave, whatever," he said. "I was just a youngster who wanted to do tricks, I didn't even care about end product really.

"Now I take things a lot more seriously - the gym aspect, recovery after games, my decision-making. I've learnt a lot in terms of my all-round game. I'm totally different now. I'm definitely more mature and more strong-minded.

"I had to be mentally strong after what I went through at United. I think in football, most of it is just mental. Once you've got that sorted, then you're good."

Zaha, who featured twice in the top flight for United, has seven goals and two assist to his name this season.

ID:324427: cacheID:324427:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2476:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in action during his side's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on October 22, 2016
Read Next:
Hodgson: 'Zaha is treated unfairly'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Chelsea24127547311643
5Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2476112946-1727
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!