Man Utd signing 'blanked by Ferguson' scores screamer before Old Trafford return

01 October 2023 , 18:11

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Man Utd signing 'blanked by Ferguson' scores screamer before Old Trafford return

Wilfried Zaha is in fine form ahead of his Manchester United return after scoring a stunning first goal for Galatasaray.

The winger joined the Turkish giants on a free transfer in the summer after his Crystal Palace contract expired. The 30-year-old had not scored in his opening five appearances for Galatasaray - his only previous contribution being an assist in a 2-2 Champions League draw against Copenhagen.

That all changed in Saturday’s showdown against Ankaragucu as Zaha finally scored his first goal and it was certainly worth the wait. He received the ball on the left flank and managed to spin the advancing defender.

Zaha then skipped inside onto his right foot and lashed home a thunderous effort - leaving opposition goalkeeper Bahadir Gungordu with no chance. He will be aiming to carry that positive form into his Old Trafford return.

Galatasaray travel to Man Utd on Tuesday evening for a Champions League group showdown. The game also sees Zaha return to his former employers.

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He became Sir Alex Ferguson’s final signing as Red Devils boss in January 2013 but stayed on loan at Palace. Zaha never played under the Scot with his first United manager being David Moyes - but even then the pair never shared a relationship as revealed by Neil Warnock.

Wilfried Zaha has scored his first goal for Galatasaray (Getty Images)

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Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I signed him when I went to Crystal Palace. He’s always loved there. I would have liked to see him go to another top club. When he came back to me when I re-signed him. I remember talking to him in the chairman’s office.

“I said to him, ‘Did you get on alright with Sir Alex?’ He said, ‘He never spoke to me once’. He was only a young lad and went there and didn’t get a lot of help.”

Since quitting Old Trafford, Zaha has haunted the Red Devils on a couple of occasions. He scored twice as the Eagles won 3-1 at Old Trafford back during the 2020/21 season.

The wideman then scored the winning goal in a 1-0 home success over United the following campaign. Speaking out on his frustrating period with Mirror Football, Zaha said: “The only frustration was I would have liked to had more of an opportunity to show I was good enough for Manchester United.

“But I feel like that period has pushed me to still be relevant now. There are so many people who have been in those predicaments when they've gone to top teams, haven't had chance to play and when they have left, you just don't hear of them. That's what has driven me more to be like the top players.”

Daniel Orme