Patrice Evra has claimed Wilfried Zaha "disappeared" from the Manchester United first-team soon after rumours of an alleged romance with David Moyes' daughter emerged.
The Crystal Palace star made a big-money move to Old Trafford in 2013 and was notably Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing at United before he called time on his glittering managerial career.
After making his debut for United under Moyes, Zaha struggled for opportunities, playing on just three more occasions.
Their relationship was not helped by speculation regarding Zaha and Moyes' daughter Lauren, with Zaha denying those rumours and even claiming he has never met her.
And Evra, who played alongside the Ivory Coast international at the Red Devils, claims Zaha never recovered following the "true or untrue affair".
Speaking ahead of United's clash with Palace on Saturday, Evra told Sky Sports: "All the Crystal Palace fans, they know Wilfried deserves better than Crystal Palace with all due respect.
"He's such an electric player.
"I remember I think, what's real in his Manchester United career is when he had this true or untrue affair with David Moyes' daughter.
"Because I remember at the pre-season he was playing every day - and when that news comes out... out of the game and he disappeared.
"But what a player."
Earlier this year, Zaha opened up on the anguish he suffered at United over rumours he slept with the daughter of manager Moyes.
"No one at the club at all told me anything, I didn't know what to do whatsoever,' Zaha told ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand on The Locker Room.
"I remember tweeting something about it saying 'silly rumours' because it was getting too much so I had to say something myself and then I remember the club media messaging me saying 'you shouldn't have done that, you shouldn't have done this' and I'm thinking you haven't helped me.
"I'm here by myself, struggling because people are telling me I've slept with the manager's daughter and that's why you're not playing me."
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