Wilfried Zaha: Scout Report

As mentioned above, Zaha loves to attack defenders. Given an opportunity Zaha enjoys driving into the opposing penalty area. Quick feet and commendable dribbling ability means that opposing defenders would be wary of diving into tackles against the young winger. Capable of producing the unexpected, Manchester United fans and the Premier League will soon be accustomed to the sight of Zaha dancing past players.

Although he’s been used mainly on the right hand side in United’s pre-season tour, he is not your traditional old school, hug the touchline, shift the ball and whip a cross in kind of winger. He’s certainly not shy of going on the outside of the defender and getting a ball in early but he’s certainly not the type to stick to the touchline.

He’s prone to cutting in-field from either flank. If he does continue to feature on the right, as he has predominantly done for United in their Asia tour, then Zaha could well be seen occupying the inside right channel more often than not, with the ever exuberant Rafael on the overlap.

His passing is another of his strengths. Linking up play whichever position he finds himself in, he certainly has a good pass on him which could certainly help him when facing packed defences while playing for United.

One aspect in which there is definite scope of improvement is his end product. As mentioned, Zaha gets his shots in but his goal scoring record so far leaves a lot to be desired. Zaha did get himself on the scoresheet for his new club with a last minute equalizer against Cerezo Osaka and while he was one of the most impressive United players on tour, he definitely should have more than a solitary goal to his credit.

Not just his goal scoring, but his crossing as well can be erratic at times. Getting himself into good positions and wasting the chance is something that he has to work on. As you’d expect with a player of his age, consistency is another area in which he could improve. The step up from the Championship to the Premier League is deceptively big and one which talent alone will not be able to overcome.

Quotes

“Wilfried is a fantastic talent. That is why you pay £15million for a kid. He is raw, with great individual skills and the early indications are that he is a hard worker. He wants to be a top footballer and he wants to improve. With those attributes, that desire and the influences he will have at this club, hopefully we will have a top player on our hands.”

-Rio Ferdinand (via thesun.co.uk)

“Give him the ball and all he wants to do is beat defenders and smash the ball into the back of the net. I think our crowds are going to love him.”

-Sir Bobby Charlton (via talksport.co.uk)

“I think the boy is so exciting he’s going to have a chance at Man United and I can see him getting in their first team and I genuinely mean that.”

-Ian Holloway (via metro.co.uk)

Transfer Situation

Obviously a sale isn’t on the cards anytime soon, but there was talk about him joining former club Palace on loan to gain Premier League experience. Both the player and club have signaled that Zaha will indeed be staying at United. With both Valenica and Nani having missed the tour, although they did feature in a friendly against Crewe recently, Zaha had a chance to impress the United hierarchy and he certainly took it.

Whether or not, Moyes sees it fit to include Zaha in the starting line up against Wigan in the Community Shield and even Swansea in the opening fixture of the League is still to be seen. Either way, Zaha will definitely be in and around United’s first team not only for this season, but for a fair few more in my opinion.