The trimming of Louis van Gaal's United squad has continued with the departure of Wilfried Zaha. The young winger will return to Crystal Palace for the season. He becomes the second winger to leave Old Trafford this month, after Nani's departure to Sporting.
BREAKING NEWS: Crystal Palace sign Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United on season-long loan. #SSNHQ
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) August 28, 2014
It seems fair to say that Zaha's United career hasn't quite worked as planned. Unable to force his way into David Moyes's flailing side, he spent the second half of last season on loan at Cardiff City, going thirteen appearances without scoring as the Welsh side were relegated. Though he returned to United for pre-season, there have been rumours that Van Gaal has been less than impressed with his commitment to training, and he didn't get off the bench last night as United were embarrassed by MK Dons.
Still, his form for Crystal Palace in 2012/13 inspired their promotion, and he is still young. Perhaps the iron fist of Neil Warnock will be more to his taste than David Moyes' tough love. Let's hope a year fighting against relegation back in London leads to him rediscovering the form and promise that encouraged Alex Ferguson to invest to the tune of £15m in the first place. Not only for his sake; that way, either he returns in glory, or United will get a fee when it comes to moving him on permanently.
Caveat: it's possible that SSN got their information from a tweet, posted by Zaha but then swiftly deleted, that simply read "BACK!" If so, you may consider this news in the future, and speculation for now.