Manchester United's pre-season plans are falling into place, says David Moyes

Moyes wants to see Wilfried Zaha in action before a decision is made on his first-team status, and also admits that deals are on-going for new acquisitions after Baines and Thiago interest

Jack de Menezes
Wednesday 10 July 2013 06:36 EDT
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David Moyes
David Moyes (GETTY IMAGES)

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David Moyes has confirmed that Wilfried Zaha will go on Manchester United’s pre-season tour to the Far East and Australia in an effort to convince the manager that he deserves a first-team place this season.

Zaha only joined up with the squad on Monday after he was afforded extra holiday after he featured in England’s European Under-21 Championship campaign to Israel.

Moyes wants to see the 20-year-old in action himself, and believes the matches in Thailand, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong will provide the perfect opportunity to see the former Crystal Palace man in action.

"He will travel with us on the tour," Moyes told talkSPORT.

"He has only been with us for two days but I will take him away, see how he goes and have a look.

"This club has a great record of putting young players in the team. Hopefully Wilfried can be one of them."

With interest in both Everton left-back Leighton Baines and Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara seemingly cooled in the last week, Moyes also confirmed that work had not stopped on improving the squad ahead of the new season.

United are expected to submit an improved offer for Baines, while they remain interested in Thiago as his future at the Nou Camp remains unclear.

"Don't be kidded by the lack of activity," Moyes added.

"Take it from me, we are working hard behind the scenes to try and improve the squad. The big thing is that Manchester United will always be in for the best players in the world.

"We are also very interested in developing our own players and bringing in potential players for the future. We are working on that just now."

United's tour gets underway on Saturday when they play a Singha All Star XI before they return home for a further friendly in Sweden, and then finish with Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against Sevilla at Old Trafford on August 9 and the Community Shield two days later.

However, Moyes is focusing on the first Premier League game at Swansea - followed by the high-profile encounters with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City - ahead of what is one of the most eagerly awaited Premier League campaigns.

"It is the first time there has been a real major change in the Premier League with the managers at the top end changing round," Moyes said.

"Jose (Mourinho) is coming back. He will be terrific at Chelsea. He has been a success wherever he has gone. Arsenal and also Manchester City, who have a new manager, and Tottenham are trying to challenge.

"I really do see an exciting Premier League. Lots of people will be hoping it is not the same as last year.

"The only people who do are me and the Manchester United players. We are hoping that it is the same as the way it finished last year."

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