Wilfried Zaha has opened up on his ill-fated move to Manchester United, admitting he was caught off guard and left 'crushed' by Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013.
Ferguson played a key role in persuading Zaha to join the Red Devils in January that year, but Zaha has insisted he had 'no idea' regarding the Scotsman's intention to retire at the end of the 2012/13 Premier League campaign.
The Ivorian joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2013 after initially being loaned back to Crystal Palace for six months following his £10m move.
However, he'd make just four senior appearances for United as he struggled to impress both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, before returning to Palace on a permanent basis in 2015.
And in what is technically his fourth stint at Selhurst Park, the Ivorian has notched 34 goals in 176 Premier League games, enjoying a stellar senior career up to this point.
Nevertheless, the 27-year-old told former United teammate Rio Ferdinand in a video on Ferdinand's YouTube channel that missing out on the chance to play under Fergie came as a huge blow to his confidence.
"It crushed me a little bit because it was like, after speaking to him, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to go there. I had no idea he was leaving," he said.
However, Zaha also admitted he doesn't have any regrets regarding the move: "There’s never regrets Rio. I met so many amazing players that I watched from when I was young. You (Rio) were there, Giggsy was there, Rooney was there, Van Persie was there.
"So many players I’ve managed to learn from so it’s never regrets. I’m sitting in the same changing room as the players I’ve seen win titles after titles after titles that’s what I want in my career and it’s like I’m finally here with this lot. It’s different when you watch them first-hand."
Source: 90min
