NEW Manchester United chief Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw Wilfried Zaha put in extra work from his flat above Cardiff’s training ground.
The other players had gone home but Zaha – during his loan spell in Wales – stayed at the Vale Resort to practise the skills that made him one of the Prem’s top wingers.
Zaha, then 21, was struggling at United but those four months under Solskjaer gave him a fresh start – even if they ended in relegation.
Another loan to Crystal Palace ended in a permanent move and he has been there ever since.
Five years later and Solskjaer has the United job full-time, with a winger his priority this summer.
When he sits down with exec vice-chairman Ed Woodward, they will discuss how difficult it would be to get Jadon Sancho as his value soars at Borussia Dortmund
And how Callum Hudson-Odoi may have to stay at Chelsea should their Fifa transfer ban be upheld.
Manchester City and Chelsea have also kept a close eye on Zaha.
But it seemed even back then, Solskjaer had a habit of lifting the spirits of United youngsters and giving them a new lease of life.
It has been the same at United’s Carrington HQ since December.
With Solskjaer, there was 100 per cent support for Zaha.
When the Palace ace was criticised after a 4-0 defeat to Sunderland, Solskjaer pointed out his running statistics.
And Zaha’s quick feet even reminded Solskjaer of Cristiano Ronaldo.
He felt the youngster was brave but it was too early for United, but at 26, he is now an attractive buy to any the top clubs.
But United are no strangers to bringing back ex-players – as they did with Paul Pogba – and we know Solskjaer is a big fan.
