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Wilfried Zaha (file pic).

'I had to be mentally strong after what I went through at Manchester United'

Wilfried Zaha failed to impress at Old Trafford and has lifted the lid on his unimpressive spell

WILFRIED ZAHA HAS opened up on his failed Manchester United move, saying he was not mature enough.

The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils in 2013 from Crystal Palace for around ยฃ15 million but failed to impress, making only four appearances across all competitions during his two-year stay.

The Cote dโ€™Ivoire international then returned to the Selhurst Park outfit permanently in February 2015 after an initial loan spell.

And the former Cardiff City man has revealed that his lack of maturity culminated in his failure to make it big at Old Trafford.

โ€œMe going to a big club when I was like 19 or 20, I didnโ€™t know what to expect, how to behave, whatever,โ€ Zaha told Sky Sports.

โ€œI was just a youngster who wanted to do tricks, I didnโ€™t even care about end product really. Now I take things a lot more seriously โ€“ the gym aspect, recovery after games, my decision-making.

โ€œIโ€™ve learnt a lot in terms of my all-round game. Iโ€™m totally different now. Iโ€™m definitely more mature and more strong-minded.

โ€œI had to be mentally strong after what I went through at Manchester United. I think in football, most of it is just mental. Once youโ€™ve got that sorted, then youโ€™re good.โ€

This season, Zaha has played a key role for struggling Palace despite injuries, scoring seven goals in 27 league games.

He will be looking to continue the form when Roy Hodgsonโ€™s men clash with Leicester City on Saturday.

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Apr 10th 2018, 5:50 PM

    Playoff will be the fifth team in conference A with the South Africans in 3rd (Chetahs as it stands not Munster) so Ospreys most likely in Belfast. But with Benetton playing Zebre at home in last game and currently one point behind Ulster they must pick up at least one win on the run in.

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    Mute .
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    Apr 10th 2018, 5:38 PM

    Luckily for them they donโ€™t have any other big profile players who are unavailableโ€ฆ..

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    Mute IR1111
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    Apr 10th 2018, 6:11 PM

    @.: whats the point of this comment

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Apr 10th 2018, 9:04 PM

    Think heโ€™s over-rated, not been impressed with him and Ulster played really well without him. Would have Oโ€™Toole ahead of Rodney Ah You.

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    Mute Mike O Loughlin
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    Apr 10th 2018, 6:14 PM

    Fecks sake!

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    John
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    Mute John
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    Apr 10th 2018, 9:59 PM

    Time to clear out all they sicknotes in the summer anyway hopefully he be put out to pasture like a few others

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