Palace keen on Zaha return

Crystal Palace officials have declared that they would ‘love’ to see former player Wilfred Zaha return to Selhurst Park on loan next season, ESPN understands.

The 20 year old became Sir Alex Ferguson’s final signing for Manchester United when he put pen to paper on a deal back in January, before going back to Palace for the remainder of the 2012/13 season.

He was instrumental in the Eagles charge to the Premier League, scoring both goals in the 2-0 aggregate victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in the Championship Play-Off semi-final, and winning the extra time penalty that won the final against Watford at Wembley last month.

Palace chief executive Phil Alexander has made no secret of his wishes to see the England international back with the club, and has admitted that they will “probably ask in passing”, though he isn’t convinced that David Moyes would be willing to loan him out.

Meanwhile, David De Gea left a cheeky message on Thiago Alcantara’s match ball, which received after scoring a hat-trick in Tuesday’s European under 21 Championships final victory over Italy.

The United keeper wrote ‘See you in Manchester’, following speculation that the club are set to make a bid for the Barcelona midfielder.