Wilfried Zaha seen with Crystal Palace supporters before Liverpool game

Wilfried Zaha with Crystal Palace fans (image from Daily Mail)

Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha set the rumour mills spinning after he was spotted clicking pictures with Crystal Palace fans at a pub near Selhurst Park ahead of the match against Liverpool.

The £15 million winger moved to Old Trafford this summer but was loaned out to Cardiff City managed by former United player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on January 31 after gaining limited playing time under David Moyes.

Zaha didn’t have an easy time at the Welsh club either as he was used mostly as an impact sub and is now rumored to be willing to return to Crystal Palace.

The England Under-21 international was at the pub to help raise funds for a young Crystal Palace fan.

The Eagles’ chairman Steve Parish would love to see Zaha in a Palace shirt once again and said: ‘Wilf’s a fantastic player, I certainly think we would be interested.

‘United have not said anything official, he’s their player, but if a player like that did become available then I am sure we would be interested.

‘If we are fortunate enough to stay in the division, we will be looking to kick on and establish ourselves and try to get up to mid-table and be a bit more comfortable.

‘Wilfried is a player who is worthy of the division and is a player who could help anybody.

‘We saw him come on for Cardiff at the weekend and he changed the game, so if a situation arose for that kind of player, of course we would be interested.’

The 21-year-old was criticized heavily for his recent displays by legendary Newcastle striker and Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer who found him unimpressive in the match against Sunderland.

“I’d be slightly concerned with what I saw from Wilfried Zaha. He had to do more for me when he came on.” said Shearer during his appearance on Match of the Day.

Zaha’s manager at Cardiff Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was more understanding and stated: ‘Being singled out like that hurts, because I don’t think it’s fair,’ said the Norwegian.

‘Wilf is a young player; this is the first time he’s in the Premier League.

‘[He’s] come on, 10 men, and he’s ran more than anyone else in that half.’

The Champions League winning striker also stated that Zaha was doing everything in his power to be a better player.

‘My apartment overlooks the training ground and on Thursday, five, six o’clock, he is there again, training, finishing.

‘He is just a boy who wants to play football, wants to do his best, wants to improve. I think he will have a very good career, wherever he plays.’

Zaha need not panic as he will almost certainly be given a chance next season by Manchester United’s new manager – whoever that may be.