Former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha has publicised that he felt “worthless” during his spell with the Premier League outfit last season, having since made his loan to former side Crystal Palace permanent.
The 22-year-old joined the Eagles in on a permanent basis in February, after commencing the 2014/15 campaign with his old club on loan. And having made just four appearances for the Red Devils prior to a loan to Cardiff City, Zaha has spoken out over the ordeal.
Having now made 27 appearances in all competitions back in South London, Zaha is aiming to put his tempestuous spell with the former Premier League winners behind him. Amidst rumours of a relationship with the daughter of previous manager David Moyes, Zaha’s time with the club was blitzed by media controversy and speculation.
“It’s a great relief. There is nothing worse than not being involved,” he has said, two months after departing from the Theatre of Dreams. “You are sitting there thinking ‘what exactly am I? A footballer who is not playing football?’ You feel a bit worthless sitting in the stands, watching all the time. You have nothing to speak about with the players.
“If you have played the game then it’s ‘well done’ or ‘you should have passed here or there’. But when you haven’t played… I think people lose a bit of respect for you. I think they are thinking ‘well, he’s not played’. They don’t have anything to speak to you about. It’s a big thing.’
“There were so many rumours about me that were not true. And they hurt me because all I was doing was keeping my head down to do my best every time and then after training I’d go home and there would be something in the paper or wherever about me not having a good attitude and that’s why I wasn’t playing, rumours about my private life and that’s why I wasn’t playing, me turning up late for this, turning up late for that.”
Wilfried Zaha joined Manchester United for £15 million after impressing in the Palace side, but following Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure shortly after the transfer, the Englishman became out of favour – leading to the Reds making a considerable loss on the youngster.
Zaha scored on his debut after returning to Crystal Palace in August, netting one of six goals in a 3-3 thriller with Newcastle United.
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