Wilfried Zaha ready to prove Louis van Gaal wrong as Crystal Palace aim to shock Manc United
Eagles winger was given the boot at Old Trafford and is out seeking revenge in FA Cup final at Wembley
THERE is an old saying that you should never go back.
Wilfried Zaha is blissfully unaware of this and, when you consider he has just been voted Crystal Palace’s player of the year, it is probably a good job.
Winger Zaha, whose career stalled during a nightmare spell at Manchester United, is back home in South London, a ten-minute drive from the family, a ten-minute drive from Selhurst Park and back to his best on the pitch.
Now, in today’s FA Cup final, he is due to face United — the club he joined in a deal worth £15million in 2013.
Two years later he returned to Selhurst for £4m, having made just FOUR appearances for the Red Devils.
Zaha, who made his debut for England as a 20-year-old in 2012, was Alex Ferguson’s final signing in management, although he never played for the Scotsman.
His spell under David Moyes was a disaster and he was not given a chance by Louis van Gaal.
Yet Zaha, now 23, is loving life as an Eagle again. Although he admitted: “I have never heard of the saying never go back — until you just said it. But that is definitely not always the case, I think I’ve just proved that.
“I absolutely don’t regret anything that has happened. Not at all. It has made me stronger mentally. There have been ups and downs but I now realise that is what happens.
“The time I went to United everything was going well. My mum said to me ‘everything is like a fairytale’. But then, things got difficult.
“I am rather religious like my family. She told me: ‘God had to knock you down to show you how far you can get. It is so you cannot get complacent once you get there’.
“Whatever happens, I knew I had to take it on the chin and work even harder. Once I get there, I will know not to slack.
“United are one of the greatest teams in the world. Things were at a different level when I went into the dressing room. Ryan Giggs sat to the side of me in the dressing room.
“Everyone was decent to me when I was there. No bad eggs at United, definitely not. It just did not work out for me. I have to accept that.
“One manager bought me in Sir Alex Ferguson but then he left and David Moyes arrived, so things changed.
“No one has a smooth trip the whole time. I have to learn from it. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, that is what I have done.
“I was up there on my own, feeling isolated without any family. Now I am back down here and I’m a ten- minute drive from everywhere I need to be. After games, I go back to see mum and dad.”
In this newspaper in May 2014, Zaha revealed his frustrations over the incorrect rumours that he had a relationship with Moyes’ daughter, someone he had never met.
Combined with his struggles at United, it was the most difficult spell of his career.
Yet things came full circle when Palace showed their interest.
He said: “The fans have always been good to me at Palace. It was a no-brainer when they came in for me.
“Now, I have been voted player of the season as well. That means a lot — I’ve never been happier.”
Zaha has not played since starring in the 2-1 semi-final win over Watford on April 24.
He added: “Fitness-wise, I feel fresh. A month of no games but I feel fine, fully fit.
“I had a tear in my tendon in my right leg. I played in the semi-final with it. I probably would not have played had they done a scan before.
“Long-term, I am happy at Palace. My agent is in talks with the club to have a long-term deal and I hope that happens.
“I am very happy here, this is the club I love. I want to achieve my football goals in the Crystal Palace shirt and win something.”
As for the clash with United, Zaha accepts it will be tough.
He said: “We will be underdogs but we are not seeing it as a day out.
“I have a good record in terms of results at Wembley.
“I played in the play-off final win against Watford, made my debut for United in the Community Shield against Wigan and thought I played well in the FA Cup semi against Watford. Hopefully, history will repeat itself.”
That would prove hugely embarrassing for Van Gaal — the man who sanctioned Zaha’s release. This one could bite him on the backside.
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