Zaha gave Wan-Bissaka advice after joining Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha spent time at Manchester United and he had some words of wisdom for his former Crystal Palace team-mate.

Published : Jul 15, 2019 16:19 IST

Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka
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Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Aaron Wan-Bissaka said former Manchester United forward Wilfried Zaha told him to "play without fear" after moving to Old Trafford.

England Under-21 international right-back Wan-Bissaka completed a £50million transfer from Crystal Palace to Premier League giant United last month.

Wan-Bissaka made his first appearance for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's United in a 2-0 friendly win over Perth Glory in Australia on Saturday.

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Palace star Zaha spent two forgettable years at United before returning to Selhurst Park permanently in 2015 and he had some advice for Wan-Bissaka.

"I wanted to take my development to the next level and this was the team where I thought I could do it," he said.

"It was mostly development as a player, really. I thought this was the right team for that to happen. When I walked in everyone has been talking to me. encouraging me with advice. That has helped me a lot.

"When [Zaha] knew that I joined he just told me to play without fear. I have come here as a new signing he said 'just play your game and do what I did last season."

"He was happy for me. He said I deserved it and I should continue working hard and doing what I do."

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England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd claimed talk of a move to United affected Wan-Bissaka's performances during the Under-21 European Championship.

Boothroyd felt Wan-Bissaka "had his head turned" amid the speculation but the 21-year-old said: "I haven't spoken to him [Boothroyd] about that.

"I was not focused on [the speculation] really. I do not focus on speculation, I just keep my head down and keep doing it on the pitch. It is easy for me to block out, the main thing is just playing football.

"Over the summer there was a lot to go through. I am here now and that is my main focus. I expected [the extra attention] when I came here. It is a big club so the attention will always be there. I just need to play my game and block it out."

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