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

Wilfried Zaha: 'United move came too early'
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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.

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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
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City353032102267693
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd35245667274077
3Liverpool362012480374372
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs35218668313771
5Chelsea35206960342666
6Arsenal351761267481957
7Burnley361412103532354
8Everton36139144254-1248
9Leicester CityLeicester351111134952-344
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle35118163544-941
11Crystal Palace36911164154-1338
12Bournemouth36911164260-1838
13Watford36108184262-2038
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton35813143247-1537
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham35811164367-2435
16Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3598182756-2935
17Swansea CitySwansea3589182752-2533
18Southampton35614153554-1932
19Stoke CityStoke36612183265-3330
20West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom36513183054-2428

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