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Ashley Young talks up prospects of new Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha

The English youngster arrived from Crystal Palace

Simon Stone
Friday 26 July 2013 12:18 BST
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Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha

Ashley Young is expecting big things from Manchester United new-boy Wilfried Zaha.

With Uruguay Under-20 international Guillermo Varela still to report for duty after his country's World Cup campaign and big-name signings proving hard to pin down, Zaha is the only new face on United's tour of the Far East and Australia.

Signed in January but loaned straight back to Crystal Palace, Zaha has impressed with his direct wing play and is evidently going to provide a threat to Young's first-team berth.

But it is competition Young welcomes and he can see already that Zaha, who made his England debut in Sweden last November, is destined for big things.

"He's going to be a fantastic player," Young told MUTV.

"We wouldn't have signed him if he wasn't going to have a great future and he'll have the experience of listening to the older, experienced players talk.

"It's always good for the club having additions like Wilf and he's been fantastic."

Clearly though, manager David Moyes is wanting to bolster his squad further, hence his concerted move for Cesc Fabregas, which the United manager describes as "ongoing".

The Red Devils are in danger of looking somewhat foolish if the Spain star does not return to the Premier League.

However, they have been given encouragement to believe it is what Fabregas wants and the player himself has given similar vibes privately, although in public, very much like Wayne Rooney, he has remained silent.

On the positive side, given the Scot has been condemned for the fitness work he has done with Robin van Persie, it must have been particularly pleasing to confirm the striker should be involved against Cerezo Osaka later today.

"We took Robin off as a precaution," said Moyes.

"I would expect him to play tomorrow."

The same assessment was made of Danny Welbeck, who trained in sultry conditions last night which Moyes feels will have an effect on his players.

Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans were not involved with the main group.

Evans had an ice-pack applied to his ankle at one point while Carrick was restricted to running only, although he appeared to be going at a fair pace.

"Michael had a tight groin," said Moyes.

"He is feeling better now. He probably won't figure tomorrow but he should be okay to resume training at the weekend."

There was good news on the home front too, with three of the players who were not brought to the Far East and Australia, and another who was, but departed less than 24 hours after arrival, all stepping up their fitness work.

"There was a practice match at the training ground the other day in which Nemanja Vidic, Antonio Valencia and Nani all got some playing time," Moyes said.

"Wayne Rooney is running and is probably at the level we would have thought he would be.

"He has picked up his work again this week."

PA

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