Zaha off mark with first goal for Manchester United

Wilfried Zaha in action against Osaka. Picture: Getty

United are offering no update on their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, but new Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino appears to have ended the discussion by insisting Fabregas is going to stay put. United manager David Moyes has already stated his willingness to walk away from the situation if he feels he is getting nowhere and it does appear the pursuit is going to be a fruitless one,.

Wilfried Zaha has already made the move to United, from Crystal Palace, and the 20-year-old is making a big impression. After a frustrating attempt to get his first United goal in the opening three games of the tour, Zaha struck deep in stoppage time to earn the Red Devils a 2-2 draw against Cerezo Osaka.

When asked whether his ongoing failure to find the net had wound him up, Zaha said: “It has really. Personally I feel I have done everything right and got in the right places but it wasn’t going for me. There was always one defender who would come out of nowhere. I am just glad I managed to get a goal today because I have dreamt about that moment.”

Zaha looks as though he could play a significant role in his debut season and dismissed suggestions he may be loaned out, as he was for the latter half of the previous campaign.

“My own target for my first season in Manchester is to be able to get minutes,” he said. “I don’t want to go out on loan or anything. I just want to play when I get the chance.”

Moyes was certainly impressed, particularly as his late intervention staved off a third defeat in four games. “Wilfried has done well,” said the United manager. “He has been quite quiet because he is still getting to know everybody, but he has had an impact in the games.

“We want to try and bring him along nicely. Tonight will help because he showed the players that he can make things happen.”

Shinji Kagawa endured a nightmare, missing an absolute sitter in the first half and then a penalty in the second before finally turning home Ryan Giggs’ cross to the acclaim of the club that launched him as an international star. United twice fell behind though, and with Michael Carrick missing through injury and Tom Cleverley rested, the lack of midfield depth was obvious.