• Premier League

Holloway reveals late bid to re-sign Zaha

Wilfried Zaha was key in helping Crystal Palace gain promotion last season © PA Photos

Enlarge

Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway has revealed he made a deadline day attempt to re-sign Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha on loan.

Zaha, 20, signed for United in January but was loaned out for the remainder of last season to his former club Palace.

Holloway has spoken of his desperation to bring Zaha back to Selhurst Park over the summer and insists he refused to give up on the cause, given that David Moyes is yet to hand the youngster a start this season.

When asked about the last time he tried to re-sign Zaha, Holloway said: "The day the window shut. Just in case. I think out of respect to them I knew damn well they wouldn't do it. What would that look like? And there will be enough competitions to give him some games.

"I have been continually asking because the person who brought him isn't there anymore. I think from Wilf's point of view it would be much easier for Sir Alex to play him. David has just gone in and sometimes with Wilf it is a risk as he doesn't always track back.

"But I think his career at Man United will be a success because of the boy that he is. David will select him at the right time, which is completely right. All I can talk about is how I felt when certain things were out there - that he didn't care, he wasn't putting it in and his heart wasn't with us when we were having a dodgy spell.

"It just wasn't true. He couldn't help us more if he tried - he was trying too hard. Nothing pleased me more in the final that he won a penalty and we scored. Against Brighton away he got two - fantastic. What more would that boy need to do for Crystal Palace if he isn't a legend already?"

Despite his desire to have Zaha back in the Palace ranks, Holloway believes United is the perfect place for the player to take his career to the next level.

"They produce and nurture talent," Holloway said. "I remember Cristiano Ronaldo a few years ago doing 15 million step-overs and getting nowhere. And now look what he does.

"Who has helped? I would suggest it is Man United and the attitude of the club. I am delighted for him. He will have to learn about being at a big club and what that means but I am so proud of that boy, I can't tell you."

Ahead of Palace's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday, Holloway has tipped David Moyes to emerge from Sir Alex Ferguson's shadow and make a mark of his own at Old Trafford.

"It is the end of a legend," Holloway said. "Ferguson has left a legacy behind him. But David is a fantastic manager and he has decided that is what he wanted to do. It was an honour for him to get the job and good luck to him, but not this weekend.

"Only time will tell for all of us what we leave, the mark we leave at each club that we work for. I hope Dave leaves a fantastic mark on Manchester United. He has worked so hard, he deserves it and good luck to him, but I am more concerned about my team."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd