Wilfried Zaha is set to re-join Crystal Palace on loan after failing to impress Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.
- Palace to back Warnock in window
Palace manager Neil Warnock, who was re-appointed at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, believes the England international winger will become his first signing.
Warnock worked with Zaha during his first spell in charge of Palace and contacted the 21-year-old on Wednesday evening.
"I did speak to him," the former QPR, Leeds and Sheffield United manager told TalkSport. "I had half an hour last night telling him why I want him to come back and I'm optimistic we are going to do it today [Thursday]."
Zaha began his career at Palace before agreeing a 15 million-pound move to United in January 2013, though he was loaned back to the Eagles for the rest of that season and helped them win promotion to the Premier League.
Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing at Old Trafford struggled to make an impact under his successor, David Moyes, starting just two games before being loaned to Cardiff, where he experienced relegation.
Zaha was generally used as a replacement by Van Gaal in preseason but did not make the bench for their first two Premier League matches of the season and was an unused substitute in Tuesday's 4-0 thrashing by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.
"When you get the chance, you can't turn down Manchester United but there are so many big players there and sometimes you get a bit lost," Warnock added.
"He is still developing, Wilfried, and he has got so much talent. When you are a wide player, or a forward, you need to feel loved.
"I've heard it said about his attitude, but I've always thought his attitude has been spot on, so I'm looking forward to working with him."
Zaha was reportedly a target for Palace co-chairman Steve Parish before former manager Tony Pulis left Selhurst Park.