New Eagles manager Neil Warnock spent half an hour on Wednesday night convincing former Palace star Zaha to return to his first senior club.

“I did speak to him last night,” Warnock told Talk Sport.

“I spent half an hour telling him why I want him to come back and I’m optimistic we are going to do it today.”

Ivory Coast-born Zaha made more than 100 appearances in three years at Crystal Palace, progressing through the junior ranks at Selhurst Park.

Zaha signed for United in 2013 in a deal worth a reported £15m, but was then loaned back to the Eagles.

The 21-year-old was only able to muster two appearances for the Old Trafford outfit last term under then-boss David Moyes and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Cardiff.

The England Under-21 graduate is deemed surplus to requirements under new Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal, paving the way for another stint at Palace.

Warnock was appointed Palace’s new manager on Wednesday, ending owner Steve Parish’s lengthy search to replace Tony Pulis, who walked out of the club on the eve of the new season.

Former Sheffield United boss Warnock rubbished suggestions Zaha has an attitude problem, backing him to realise his rich potential in south London.

“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,” said Warnock.

“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.”

Warnock admitted he has come out of retirement to bolster Palace’s fight for Premier League stability.

“Really it’s given me that buzz back, and I don’t think there would have been another opportunity,” said the 65-year-old.

“I’ve had quite a few opportunities in the last six months, but this one, to help out, to put something back if anything, you don’t normally get a chance to put something back into a club.

“I just felt it was a difficult time for the club, no manager, no leader, and they need that.

“They are a good group of players, they work hard for each other, so the sooner I can get cracking the better.

“So that’s what I want to do, I want to try and stabilise it.”