The confessions of Wilfried Zaha: 'I was in a bad place, out all the time, doing mad stuff'

Wilfried Zaha is one of the most dangerous wingers in the Premier League and he has been linked with major clubs all his professional career. The saga regarding him moving to Arsenal most probably fell apart when the Gunners bought Nicolas Pepe so the fast-footed Ivorian stayed with the Eagles of Crystal Palace. However, those who follow the Premier League remember he did have a spell with one of the league's powerhouses - Manchester United. A disappointing spell that left a lot of scars on the player but also meant a lot to him.

Zaha made just four appearances under David Moyes at Old Trafford after arriving from Crystal Palace in January 2013. Having spent the second half of his one full season there on loan at Cardiff, Zaha returned with van Gaal in charge and has recalled how the Dutchman forced him to turn into a striker to get into the team and that he felt he was being set up to fail. Zaha reveals he was given just one training session to prove his worth by the Dutch expert.

As a guest speaking on the On the Judy podcast, Zaha shared some memories and the impact it all had on him.

'Right place at the wrong time, really. I look back and think there's nothing else I could have really done. 'That whole period, people ask me if I regret it but no. It's a learning curve, it made me so much stronger mentally, I met some amazing players, some amazing people over there. I'm glad I went there and it made me who I am now.

Carrick, Ferdinand & Zaha (©Reuters)

'I tried to go back on loan to Palace before and David Moyes wouldn't let me. I don't know for what reason, and they just shipped me off to Cardiff. I went there and I was a shadow of myself, I wasn't speaking to anyone. The player that I am now, I was not myself at all.

'So I went there, added relegation on my CV, went back to United, it was van Gaal by then. And when he came back off the World Cup where he played Robin van Persie and Robben up front, so basically he gave me two options - you're either a wing back or a striker.

'Those positions are positions I've never played before. So it's like I'm being set up to fail here. This is off of coming back from David Moyes, and I'm shattered from just how everything worked out. I go back and I get that, either a striker or a wing back. I can't do either. Back then I wasn't good with my back to goal, I didn't have that awareness, I'm not good with that. I remember I had to play striker.

'On pre-season we're playing Inter Milan, I had to play against Vidic, we played against Real, I'm playing against Pepe and Ramos up front, thinking this guy's boying me. It's mad, I'm being thrown in the deep end against the maddest teams.'

It was after the pre-season trip to America that Zaha reveals he was given an ultimatum by van Gaal and his assistant, Giggs, and felt that he was on trial.

'I remember I came back that year - I don't think I've said this before - they gave me one more session for them to decide [if you're going to stay or not?] yeah. Van Gaal and Giggs was his assistant. 'These are things I don't even argue with. That's why I say it made me who I am now, my confidence and just how I am. It just changed me, all those things I went through.

van Persie & Zaha (©Reuters)

This training session, I was basically on trial again. I remember the first time I went there I got a house, and this time I was thinking I didn't know what was going to happen so I was just staying in a hotel - I had no idea what was going to happen with me. 'My brother was up there at first with his family, but then he had to go back so I was just by myself throughout the whole David Moyes period, that's when I just went through depression and all sorts. I couldn't cook so I wasn't even eating proper.

'That training session, Rooney told me I trained well. Went back in and went to see them and they were just like, "we don't think you're good enough - you can go". This was pre-season. I didn't [argue it]. I was so relieved, thank you for telling me straight and letting me go out on loan so I can restart my career.'

Wilfried Zaha (©Reuters)

Zaha admits it was a difficult time for him, having left his home with Crystal Palace in south London for the reigning champions. He also adds that he was feeling adrift from the first team, and was reduced to doing separate sessions focused on drills instead of full training.

'I was in a very bad place, literally going out all the time, doing mad stuff. I was a mess. When you know you're not playing, the team are training and you're just stood on the side doing some training drill. 'I remember it was just me and Kagawa doing some shooting drill just the two of us. So you know they don't care about you basically. Not even training with the Under 23s, week in week out. You're not getting a look in.'

Zaha was originally signed by Sir Alex Ferguson and immediately sent back on loan to Palace, which meant he didn't get a league winners' bonus. He did not get a chance to work with United's legendary manager, who retired that summer and chose Moyes as his successor. Ivorian footballer admits it did not help his situation, and that he was star-struck upon arrival.

'I was sat next to Giggs. I'm thinking oh my days, I'm seeing Rooney there, Vidic, Rio, van Persie. Nani was still there and he is like a copy of Ronaldo, his frame, it's so mad. 'And then when you actually play with them, it's crazy. I was 100 per cent star struck when I was there. 'Obviously I'm gutted [that Ferguson left], because I spoke to him and I seen what he done and what he's made players into, everyone has seen what he's done with Ronaldo. So I was gutted that he left, but I was "it is what it is".