Wilfried Zaha Hoping to Reignite Manchester United and England Career

Wilfried Zaha admits the prospect of leaving Manchester United on a permanent basis did cross his mind this summer but has underlined his intention to impress Louis van Gaal at Crystal Palace this season.

Zaha, 21, has returned to Selhurst Park on a season-long loan after failing to force himself into first-team contention during his first campaign in the Premier League.

The winger's Old Trafford career has yet to take off after joining up with the club last summer. During United's shambolic season under David Moyes, Zaha made just two appearances for the club before joining Cardiff City on loan for the second half of last season, but was unable to prevent the Welsh club from suffering relegation.

But having marked his second Palace debut with a goal last week, the United starlet is hoping to reignite his prospects for both United and the national team.

"The goal is do my best here for the season and go back and make sure I get back into the team and the England set-up," Zaha said.

"It is just great to be playing again. There is nothing like being out on the pitch and the crowd singing your name.

"It was a bit frustrating at United. What am I doing if I am not playing? I know how everything works here and the gaffer [Neil Warnock] just wants to give me game time and wants me to improve so I am just glad to be back."

Zaha was one of 16 major departures during a summer of upheaval that saw van Gaal add six new faces to the club. Of those, Luis Nani and Nick Powell are hoping to catch the Dutchman's eye during their temporary spells away along with Zaha, who eventually decided not to seek a permanent move away this summer.

"I thought about leaving for a while," he continued. "Then I thought: 'Let's stay and prove how I can play to the new manager'. He felt it was better for me to go on loan and it was best for me to come home."