Red Devils winger Wilfried Zaha returns to Eagles nest

Crystal Palace, 15/2 for a top 10 finish, have snapped up Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha on a season long-loan.

The Eagles swooped quickly for the England Under-21 starlet, who has been linked with a myriad of Premier League clubs during the transfer window, following new boss Neil Warnock’s appointment.

Zaha is a Palace academy product, but was still developing in the youth team during Warnock’s previous stint at the club between 2007-2010, and only made his debut after the coach had departed.

After enjoying four seasons with the Eagles’ first-team squad, Zaha made the jump to join Premier League giants Manchester United in January 2013, but the Red Devils immediately loaned him back to Palace for the rest of the season.

Zaha has made 143 appearances for the Eagles, netting 18 times, and has remained a Selhurst Park fan favourite, due to his efforts helping the club gain promotion back into the top flight. The 21-year-old scored twice against Brighton and Hove Albion to send Palace to the play-off final, and won a penalty at Wembley which sealed their Premier League status.

When Zaha finally arrived at Old Trafford, the rapid wingman found himself on the fringes of much-maligned David Moyes’ squad, and was farmed out on loan to Cardiff City for the second half of the 2013/14 campaign.

The Ivory Coast-born attacker then suffered a disappointing spell with the Bluebirds, who are 11/4 to be promoted this term, making just 11 appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

It seemed like Zaha may have enjoyed a second-chance under new United boss Louis van Gaal, but the Dutchman has implemented his favoured 3-4-1-2 formation, limiting attacking spaces and leaving the tricky winger with few opportunities.

Eagles fans will be hoping that Zaha, who only made four outings in a Red Devils shirt, will return to form at his old stomping ground, and illustrate the talent that convinced United to part with a reported £15m for his services.