Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha has opened up on his nightmare spell at Manchester United, admitting he was 'so down and depressed'.
The pacey winger joined the Old Trafford outfit from Palace back in 2013 at the tender age of 20 after helping the Eagles earn promotion from the Championship.
However, what he hoped would be the start of something special at Premier League giants United, turned into his toughest spell to date.
Zaha made just four appearances for United in his debut campaign before joining Cardiff on loan in January 2014.
At the end of the season, the youngster was then loaned back to former club Palace before the switch was made permanent in 2015.
And Zaha - now thriving with the Eagles in the top flight - has revealed that on top of the lack of chances, he found it very difficult living in Manchester as the club dictated his movements at such a young age.
'I was dealing with this at 19,' Zaha told Shortlist. 'Living in Manchester by myself, nowhere near anyone else, because the club had a hold over where I lived.
'They hadn't given me a car, like every other player [had]. Nothing. I'm living in this hell by myself, away from my family, and I thought, "If this doesn't make me stronger, what will?"
'When I was at United I had money, but I was still so down and depressed. People think your life's different because you've got money, you've got fame, so they don't treat you the same.'
Fast forward to the present day and Zaha is shining for Palace, almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League last season.
He is currently gearing up for Palace's Premier League clash with Newcastle at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Zaha was the hero last time out, scoring a fantastic solo goal as Roy Hodgson's men beat Huddersfield away 1-0.
Hipbdkosz
1
if it happened under Mourinho the article would have lambasted him but see no mention of Moyes... Mourinho really sells
he sells at an alarming rate
Mozaikrsyz
0
dude it's very tough to give everyone. a chance...sir Alex had a very large squad withe many young and talented players ...he can't give everyone second chances...Zaha was given a chance to prove himself and he didn't...plus a club always has a lot of influence over a young players life..
Fergie never managed him, do u even know who Fergie actually is???
akawesome
0
Fergie brought him but never managed him. Do u not know your own team....lol Let's remember that Moyer put him on load because Zaha got with his Daughter, couldn't of been that depressed.lol
dude it's very tough to give everyone. a chance...sir Alex had a very large squad withe many young and talented players ...he can't give everyone second chances...Zaha was given a chance to prove himself and he didn't...plus a club always has a lot of influence over a young players life..
hi-jack
0
if it happened under Mourinho the article would have lambasted him but see no mention of Moyes... Mourinho really sells
100% right.
hi-jack
0
I wonder what pundits would say about this if it happened under José. fergie made also lot of mistakes in his career like recommending Moyes as his successor
Thats right. Probably the biggest.
Nzargi
4
if it happened under Mourinho the article would have lambasted him but see no mention of Moyes... Mourinho really sells
Mozaikrsyz
1
Fergie brought him but never managed him. Do u not know your own team....lol Let's remember that Moyer put him on load because Zaha got with his Daughter, couldn't of been that depressed.lol
Zacbcku
2
I wonder what pundits would say about this if it happened under José. fergie made also lot of mistakes in his career like recommending Moyes as his successor
Zacbcku
1
I wonder what pundits would say about this if it happened under José
Oforigbo
1
Zaha have his own style of playing football
forzacmilanspursmanu
0
damn kmt i dont like reading this . . i wish it worked out . he shuda bought his own car . i dont know whats its like ,i hope he tries us again [Comeon]utd
Football-Manager
1
This guy/player is so underrated is frightening. Just the wrong club to at that time. Perhaps a different manager would have helped him. He was so young and just needed to be showed a bit more love by the club...
Spram
2
Zaha would have been great under Sir Alex. You were born a few years too late Zaha.
Vivek4
1
now if zaha was in the team right wing nightmare wouldnt have been there for man utd
Vivek4
2
look u fucking man utd board trying to spoil all the goodwill Sir Alex earned for the club
XAGAR
1
but not at Crystal palace you are start man you have so much confidence in you that's just awesome funny leave the eagles ever zaha