Football
ESPN staff 10y

Zaha adamant he can shine at United

Wilfried Zaha has reiterated his belief that he can become a key player for Manchester United, despite being used sparingly in preseason thus far by new boss Louis van Gaal. 

Zaha, 21, was Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing for the club before his retirement -- arriving at Old Trafford last summer after his influential displays had helped Crystal Palace gain promotion to the Premier League.

However, the England international struggled to make an impact under David Moyes, featuring in just three games before United shipped him out on loan to Cardiff in January.

Zaha also failed to consistently shine in South Wales and it appeared Van Gaal was unimpressed when he failed to field the young forward in either of United's first two preseason friendlies.

However, Zaha was given a glimmer of hope when he was handed 45 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Inter Milan on Monday and he insists that after unhappy time under Moyes -- who he says gave him "no chance" -- Van Gaal has faith in his abilities

"At Manchester United there are quality players and if you get your chance, you have to take it," Zaha told the Telegraph. "And any chance I get I will try and make the most of it.

"You get ups and downs. The season before at Palace was great but last season was a bad one. I have started off fresh this time.

"Last season I had no chance, but this season anything can happen. It's a clean slate for me. I've worked on aspects of my game and one thing is just keeping it simple. Losing the ball is not going to help your team, so I am trying to change that.

"Louis van Gaal has let me know that he believes in me. I can't tell what's going to happen with the club in the future, but we have a great manager and I'm sure he will change things here.

"He'll tell you exactly how he wants it. He won't beat about the bush or not tell you anything. He will just tell you, and that helps you instead of isolating you. He will let you know exactly where you are and what you're doing wrong."

Despite his lack of playing time under Moyes, the Palace academy graduate insists he does not hold a grudge.

"There was so much pressure on Moyes last season, so I can't really blame him," Zaha said. "I could have got a better chance, but coming to United brings a load of pressure.

"And to be honest, if you are not the manager's cup of tea, you can't do anything about it. There was nothing I could do about it. It was definitely not my attitude, but when things aren't going well, all sorts of stories come out about you.

"The manager had his way of playing and maybe I just didn't suit it."

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