Zaha sign for Man U

Palace and England youngster — and is even prepared to loan Zaha back to Palace.
The Mirror revealed last month that Fergie would go head-to-head with Arsene Wenger for the 20-year-old, and it appears that the Arsenal manager have been scared off by Palace’s demands.

Ferguson has wasted no time in making his move for Zaha during this month’s transfer window.
Tottenham have also been chasing Zaha, with chairman Daniel Levy championing their bid to get him, but they backed away this week after realising the player had always viewed it as a straight choice between United and Arsenal.

English Premier League leaders United are believed to have offered £8m plus add-ons — a loan-back option for the rest of the season and the promise of further player loans to Palace to boost their bid for promotion from the Championship – which take the whole package up to around £12m.

It is understood Palace manager Ian Holloway, who has a close relationship with Ferguson, believes United’s deal to the best on offer, and it could be rubber-stamped in the next few days.

Ferguson decided to move for Zaha after receiving a glowing recommendation from his son Darren, the Peterborough boss.

The 20-year-old was outstanding for Palace when they won at Peterborough in November, and it was his performance that day which persuaded Ferguson senior to take his son’s advice and go all out to get him.

Zaha’s arrival at Old Trafford would open the door for Portuguese winger Nani — who has interested both Arsenal and Chelsea — to leave, either this month or in the summer.

Meanwhile, Carlos Tevez says Manchester City’s strikers have been inspired by manager Roberto Mancini’s praise of Manchester United forward Robin van Persie.

Mancini recently expressed his regret City could not sign Van Persie, who has scored 20 goals this term, and said he was the difference between the teams.

“Those words were a motivation for the strikers,” said Tevez, who has scored eight times for City this season. I’ll try to help us to compete in the League and Cup, and try to win both.”

Premier League champions City currently trail neighbours United by seven points with 17 matches remaining, having lost the Manchester derby 3-2 at the Etihad on December 9. — The Mirror.