Zaha admits he will be starstruck at Manchester United

Manchester United‘s new buy Wilfried Zaha has admitted that he is already nervous and excited about joining the newly-crowned Premier League champions over the summer and added that he will be a bit star struck among the likes of Ryan Giggs and Co.

Speaking in length for the first time since his January move (he was loaned back to Crystal Palace till the end of the season), Zaha said:

“I am just anxious and excited. I cannot wait. It will be something different. When I walk into that dressing room at United, I do not know what I will feel. I will keep my head down as I am there to play football. But I have to admit I will be a bit starstruck. Van Persie and Giggs will be in there — wow. Rooney will be in there — amazing. How can I not be looking forward to this?

“I have to be patient. I do not expect to walk in and play week-in week-out. Once I get the chance I will take it. Moving to Manchester will be something I have to get used as I have lived in the south of England since I was four.

“I will come down to see my family so I do not think my accent will change! At the moment, though, the priority is Crystal Palace. I can only assure everyone this is the case. I’ve had a little dip in my performance since I signed for United, I will not deny that. But I have to get back to what I do well.

“People are saying it is the speculation of going to United which saw me struggle. But Robin van Persie went 10 games without scoring but it was one of those things. He was still doing his best and playing a part. Equally, I am desperate to get Palace up.”

The 20-year-old is yet to soak in everything that has happened around him in such a small span of time. He currently lives in a room that he shares with his brother. Recalling his meet with Sir Alex and Sir Bobby in a hotel in London, he added:

“It is difficult to get your head around how quickly this has all happened. Sometimes, I sit here in this very room with my brother Kel and we talk to each other in amazement. How has this happened all so quickly?

“All I can do is keep my head down. I have to try to cope with this success, while doing my best for Palace until the end of the season. Back in August the goal was to have a good season. I never thought I’d end the season a Manchester United player. Then things started to happen with Palace. While having a meal in November to celebrate my birthday, I got the call-up to the England seniors. I was thinking ‘this is crazy’.

“I was part of the squad which played in Sweden. The England team all said ‘hello’ to me. Steven Gerrard came up to me and gave me some advice. He settled me down which was very nice of him as I was a bag of nerves. During that England trip, I spoke to Danny Welbeck and he seemed really nice, so maybe going to Manchester for the first time will be a bit easier. Wayne Rooney was not around for that game.

“Then in January, the approach came from United. I spoke to Sir Alex and he was in London with Sir Bobby Charlton. They were staying at a hotel in London while the United squad had already gone to Qatar. When I first met him, I was thinking it was crazy that Sir Alex was telling me he had been watching me for many years. I spoke to my family and knew it was the best thing to go up there and sign.

“The last thing Sir Alex said was to keep working hard and that is what I intend to do. Most people have wished me good luck. At the end of one game a ref said ‘good game, Mr United!’”