SIR ALEX FERGUSON is backing English wonderkid Wilfried Zaha to be a huge star after the winger sealed his £15million move to Man United yesterday.
The 20-year-old had a medical at his new club and will now be loaned back to Crystal Palace for the rest of the season to help their Premier League promotion bid.
Zaha’s ability to beat a man along with his sizzling pace earned him an England cap in November and his exciting style of play also caught the attention of Ferguson.
The Old Trafford boss said: “We like to sign young players with potential. We can develop players well, as we have proved many times, so hopefully the boy will enjoy coming here.”
Zaha will officially join United on July 1 and then head off with his new club for a tour of Australia and the Far East.
He insisted the dream move won’t distract him from helping get the Eagles promoted. He said: “My focus in the next five months is solely at Palace.
“I’ve been at the club more than 10 years. I’ll always love the club and want to help get them back to the top.”
Meanwhile, Fergie expects 34-year-old Rio Ferdinand, who is out of contract in May, to sign a one-year extension.
He said: “I don’t see why not. We give players one-year contracts and there’s nothing wrong with that.
“I don’t think players with the reputation of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio should worry about a one-year contract. It’s not to say we doubt them in terms of longevity.
“Rio has had a great season and defenders don’t have the mileage on the clock midfield or wide players have.”
Source: Daily Record