Wilfried Zaha revealed how he felt after scoring against Manchester United in the Champions League match on Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023.
In the match against United, every of his touch was met with boos and jeers but luck was by his side.
Rasmus Hojlund initially gave United the lead in the match after he headed a cross from Marcus Rashford ’s perfect cross.
After the goal from United, Erik ten Hag’s side couldn’t keep Galatasaray quiet for long as the former Crystal Palace player struck.
Wilfried Zaha celebrated the goal by sprinting towards the fans with a huge grin on his face and with his arms outstretched.
The former Crystal Palace and United player put his hands to his ears and laughed at their abuse after the home fans booed him.
However, his reaction came as a surprise for the home fans given his words about the club which he played briefly for in 2015.
When Zaha was asked about his feelings for the Red Devils, he said: “I’ll be honest, when you look at my face do you think I am bothered at all? No.”
“Realistically I think I went through a phase where you either build from it or you die out from it. And me personally, I was never going to die out from it. It built my character”.
“I was determined to not let my career die out because I went somewhere and it didn’t work out. I was just determined to reach where I wanted to reach and I am here today.”
Wilfried Zaha also added: “Obviously Manchester United were a team I played at before a long time ago. Ten years forward, I’m 30 years old, I feel like I’ve matured in my game, I’m at a big club in Galatasaray.”
“I think with the help of the manager and the team that we have that there’s a lot of talent in the team, a lot of experience. So I think we are ready for the game.”
“Obviously they’ve got a good team but at the same time, we’ve got players who can hurt them as well. Me personally, I’m looking forward to the game.”
Wilfried Zaha
Zaha graduated from the Crystal Palace Academy and his performance saw him break into the first team in 2010.
He scored 18 goals in all competitions for the club in his first three full seasons at Selhurst Park.
Zaha joined Manchester United in January 2013 for an initial fee of £10 million (which was the most expensive Crystal Palace player sold at the time).
The forward however, remained on loan at Crystal Palace until the end of the season, where he helped The Eagles return to the Premier League.
Zaha returned to Palace in August 2014 on a season-long loan after an unsuccessful 2013–14 season with Manchester United (mostly spent on loan at Cardiff City).
The following season, the 30-year-old rejoined Crystal Palace on a permanent basis and he went on to become the club’s 12th-highest goal scorer.
After his stint at Palace, he decided to move to Galatasaray after rejecting several approaches from the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
