One of Neil Warnock’s first acts as Crystal Palace was to save Wilfried Zaha from his Manchester United nightmare.

The 21-year-old winger and fans’ favourite rejoined the Eagles on loan last week, and will remain at Selhurst Park until the end of the Premier League season.

Warnock said: “It is difficult for young lads when they get a big money move to a big club, because you can get swallowed up.

“Wilfried is the type of player where you need to put an arm around him and encourage him to do what he does best.

“When you encourage him and he plays with a smile on his face, he could get into any team in England.

“But managers at Manchester United do not have time to put an arm round him.”

He added: “The thing about forwards – is that when they are loved by the fans, it doesn’t half help them and he is loved by Palace fans.”