Friday 8 May 2015 16:14, UK
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has praised winger Wilfried Zaha as he prepares to face former club Manchester United in the Saturday Night Football clash.
Zaha moved to Old Trafford from Palace for £15m in 2013 but made just four appearances in a frustrating spell at United which saw him loaned out to Cardiff and Palace during the 2013-14 season.
The 22-year-old returned again to Selhurst Park at the beginning of the current campaign before signing a permanent deal with the Eagles in February, but Pardew was quick to deny the suggestion Zaha’s spell in Manchester was a disaster.
“I wouldn’t call it a terribly disappointing season, I would call it a period that didn’t work out,” he said.
“That happens with players, coaches and managers, but he has approached it in the right way.
He has tremendous talent in one-on-one situations and that’s what we will try to exploit.
“He has been focused on the job here. I think he has learned that in the Premier League, you have to do certain things defensively, which he has coped with well without taking away his offensive ability.
“He never really had the opportunity to learn that at Manchester United because he just didn’t play enough.
“That’s no fault of Man United. With the standards they have, he wasn’t perhaps quite ready. He is a player we hope can grow here and certainly make an impact tomorrow (Saturday).
“I am sure he will be motivated to do that.”
Pardew admits Zaha, who has scored three goals in 32 appearances for Palace this season, is the sort of player who occasionally requires a confidence boost but praised the way he has worked hard to improve his game.
“He needs to have the confidence in him reinforced,” added Pardew.
“He has tremendous talent in one-on-one situations and that’s what we will try to exploit with his career.
“He is learning the other (defensive) side of the game very well and quickly. We are really pleased with him, he is really exciting and the fans love him.
“To stay in the team he needs to carry on delivering the performances he has. He now has to add goals to his game and that’s the next step for him.”
Watch Crystal Palace v Manchester United on Saturday Night Football. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 at 4:45pm.
