Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, Premier League, Champions League, Galatasaray
Daniel Marland
Topics: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Wilfried Zaha, Crystal Palace, Premier League, Champions League, Galatasaray
Sir Alex Ferguson 'never spoke' to Wilfried Zaha, who was his final signing as Manchester United manager.
Ferguson signed off on a transfer for Crystal Palace winger Zaha in January 2013 before retiring the following May.
Zaha was loaned back to the Eagles for the rest of the season and joined United in the summer, who had appointed David Moyes as manager in the meantime.
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The Ivory Coast international made just four appearances for United and rejoined Palace 18 months later.
Neil Warnock played a big role in Zaha's return to Selhurst Park and he was shocked at how little of a chance he was given.
He was also shocked Ferguson didn't have a one-to-one chat with Zaha as he agreed he could be a big player for the Red Devils in the future.
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Warnock told talkSPORT: "I signed him when I went to Crystal Palace. He’s always loved there. I would have liked to see him go to another top club.
"When he came back to me when I re-signed him, I remember talking to him in the chairman’s office.
"I said to him, 'Did you get on alright with Sir Alex?' He said, 'He never spoke to me once'.
"He was only a young lad and went there and didn’t get a lot of help. I’d love to have seen him [at a top club]. When he’s got an arm around him, he’s so exciting to watch and so dynamic. I think he’s going to have an excellent season this year."
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Zaha got his career back on track after moving back to Selhurst Park permanently in 2015. He spent eight more years in the Premier League before finally departing during the summer window in 2023.
He joined Galatasaray on a free transfer, helping the Turkish side win the league championship in his first season, and also scored his first ever Champions League goal at Old Trafford during a 3-2 win against United.
After the game, Zaha expressed his joy at completing a life-long dream of his.
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"Dream come true really,’ he told TNT Sports after the match. ‘Happy to be playing in this competition and scoring goals as well. Great night for me.
"It literally is [everything I dreamed of]. It’s not even just the game. The build-up, when we’re driving her on the coach we were playing the Champions League music, the stars on the balls, I’ve finally made it to here.
"There’s nothing like it. It’s literally playing between the best and a chance to showcase my talent between the best. I feel like that’s where it’s decided whether you’re good or not. Days like today are what it’s all about."