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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dominic Booth

Manchester United flop Wilfried Zaha admits he's ready for big Champions League transfer

Former Manchester United player Wilfried Zaha wants a return to a Champions League side and says he's better prepared to play for a big club.

The Crystal Palace star struggled in a two-year spell at United between 2013 and 2015, making just two Premier League appearances off the bench before returning to Palace.

He's since become one of the Premier League's most consistent performers, having revived his career back at Selhurst Park.

And in a wide-ranging Daily Mail interview, the 26-year-old has made no bones about being ready for a return to a top four side.

"I see Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, these types of players, and dribbling wise I'm up there with them but they have been given the platform to perform," said Zaha, who expressed regret about his time at United , which saw him marginalised by manager David Moyes and farmed out on loan to Cardiff City after virtually no game time.

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"Not being given a fair opportunity to play at all and being called a flop is what hurt me even more. How can I be if I wasn't given a fair chance?'" 

Zaha also stated that he's now desperate to experience Champions League football as he attempts a second dig at the big time.

Tottenham Hotspur were linked with a transfer last summer, but Zaha opted to remain with Roy Hodgson's outfit.

"For me to be better, to achieve what I know I am capable of, I have to aim to play at the very highest level, to win trophies," he added.

"I'm blessed to have come this far in my playing career, and I have so many people to thank for that. But I feel like there is so much more I have to offer.

"I have to experience the Champions League. I just need the opportunity, that's it. And I’ll do the rest.

"Real players, when the time comes, it’s that big stage, they’re the ones that step up. I want to be that player in the big game.

'I want to be competing at the highest level where there’s an opportunity to win trophies. That’s where I picture myself"

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