Manchester United today confirmed the signing of Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace. The deal is expected to reach £15-20m including add ons and the 20 year old England winger will join the club in July 2013, spending the remainder of the season at the Championship Side.
So how good is Wilfried Zaha?
Having only seen him play once, in Palace’s shock win at Old Trafford in the League Cup and a handful of highlights videos, I’m not best placed to say.
I have however put together this collection of his goals and a couple of assists for Palace this season. They certainly wet the appetite of the kind of player he is and how much potential he has to light up Old Trafford next season.
1. Assist v Sheffield Wednesday
Displaying great wing play (on the right), Zaha shows his strength to get on the ball, skilful footwork to work some space and importantly, an end product as he crosses for his team mate to finish.
2. Goals v Wolves
Receiving the ball inside the Wolves penalty area with 2 defenders around him, Zaha shows some brilliant skill to get the ball onto his right foot and finish in the far corner.
Controlling a long pass with his back to goal, the young winger, takes a touch before firing the ball past the keeper.
3. Goals v Burnley
Zaha shows his lightning pace to get on the end of a through ball ball before composing himself and sliding the ball past the oncoming keeper.
Getting on the ball in the left channel, Wilfried Zaha squares up his defender and finds the space to finish low and through the keepers legs.
4. Assist v Peterborough
Picking up a lose ball on the edge of his own area from a P’boro corner, Zaha runs directly at the opposition with pace and directness, beating several players before playing in his striker partner to score. Stunning.
5. Goal v Huddersfield
Played in by some wonder skill by Yannick Bolasie, Zaha advances into the box before riffling home a stunning finish at the front post.
As you can see from these moments, Zaha is a player with great pace and skill as well as being able to produce end products. I’m sure he is far from the finished article and I look forward to seeing him learn and grow at Old Trafford next season.
I, like many other United fans will be keeping a close on on him and Crystal Palace for the rest of the season and I will try and bring you and highlights he may produce.
beautifullyred 
Some cool showings here, would be nice if you not too busy and all that to do some more over the remainder of the season. Maybe, maybe……:D…….
Will try and capture his best moments from now yeah 🙂
Was slightly skeptical about him. When he came on for England the other day, he tried to impress by doing too much, which seems to be the downfall of some Utd players (Forlan springs to mind). But he’s 20 and Fergie will no doubt nurture him. So I’m cautiously excited.
I still hope Nani stays and find his form for the remainder of the season and beyond, and based on what I see here especially his pace and two-footedness (?), the prospect of Nani & Zaha flanking the pitch is something to cling on to.
Plus, it also helps that he prefers to stay out of the limelight. Looks like a proper from what I’ve read so far. Like I said, cautiously excited….
He’s a fantastic player… Brilliant footwork. We’ve finally got out Ronaldo replacement.
Yes! Another “new Ronaldo”! How can one not get super-excited? 😀
@ Kimi Jay, that’s what a young player abundant with talents tends to do. By executing the skills in gameplay (sometime overdoing it) will only help him improve it. Then when the maturity comes, he’ll learn to control and use them efficiently.
I’m excited with this signing, he’s got 2 quick feet, intelligent ideas and the courage to execute them. The potential is there, just hope he’ll be able to fulfil them in united shirt. Welcome aboard kid.
Yup, where Ronaldo learnt and excelled, Nani has not yet mastered it consistency of when to trick and when to deliver.
Really like Nani though. Like Zaha will offer a real threat with their wing play.
Yup, I agree. He’s 20 years old and he was last season’s Championship Young Player of the Season. So, the pedigree is there. I think he’ll do more than well with us. My cautious excitement has gone up a notch!