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MANCHESTER United’s look set to sign highly rated Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha after Tottenham insisted they would not pursue the England international.
Zaha has many admirers in the Premier League but rival clubs have dropped out of the race because, privately, they believe Alex Ferguson has already secured the player.
Zaha has become one of the most sought after players outside the Premier League, his elevation to the higher level inevitable.
The main issue is when, not if, it will happen with Crystal Palace hoping to keep the €14m-rated 20-year-old until the summer at least.
Spurs moved to distance themselves from Zaha, but it is understood numerous Premier League clubs who were following his progress have taken a step back recently because they are sure he is United-bound.
Palace hoped if a deal was agreed this month, United would agree to loan them Zaha for the rest of the season.
United return to Premier League action on Sunday with a home clash with Liverpool and they go into the match holding a massive 21-point lead on Brendan Rodgers’s side. However, Paul Scholes says that Liverpool’s recent struggles, the clash between the North-West giants is still one of the most intense.
“I think it was the top one for quite some while,” he said. “Liverpool probably haven’t done as well as they’d have liked over the last few years – and they’d probably admit that. But it’s definitely still right up there, it will always be right up there.
“Whether Manchester City have overtaken Liverpool now as our biggest rivals, I don’t know – it will probably take years for City to create what Liverpool have done.
“But Liverpool historically are our biggest rivals, they’re always the biggest games and the best atmospheres. But I’m sure City will run them close.”
Chris Bascombe, Telegraph.co.uk
