'Zaha can be like Ronaldo'

Former Crystal Palace forward Mark Bright believes the 20-year-old is a true "gift" from Sir Alex Ferguson to David Moyes for the 2013-14 campaign

Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha could be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo, according to former Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright.

The 20-year-old picked up his first winner's medal with the Red Devils on his competitive debut as they saw off Wigan to claim a 2-0 victory in the Community Shield last Sunday.

Bright – who spent six years with Palace – says the former Eagles winger can provide the sort of excitement fans at Old Trafford were used to seeing with Ronaldo.

"I've seen a lot of Zaha because of my
association with Palace, having done some coaching in their academy and I think he could be like Cristiano Ronaldo," he said.

"He has the ability to do everything - he's quick, strong and determined. He's Sir Alex Ferguson's last signing, a great gift to David Moyes."

The Cote d'Ivoire-born England international was a vital ingredient in seeing Palace return to the Premier League last term, earning the decisive penalty which was converted by Kevin Phillips in the Championship playoff final at Wembley.

However, Bright has called on the starlet to build on last season's goal tally of eight in the coming campaign as he fully expects him to get plenty of playing time for the English champions.

"He needs to add more goals to his game but he has the ability to go past defenders like no-one [in England] since Steve McManaman.

"He's going to be a great asset to Manchester United and I think he'll play a lot more this season than most people think."