Zaha apologises for gesture

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha apologised for a gesture he made towards Leeds supporters during United’s 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.

Leeds fans, rather typically, mocked Zaha over his transfer to Manchester United but Zaha responded by grinning and raising his middle finger at the visiting fans.

Zaha later wrote on Twitter: "On that note I also wanted to apologize for the gesture I did towards the Leeds fans in yesterday's game. Very unprofessional from me."

The twenty-year-old, who will remain on loan at Palace until the end of the season after agreeing on a move to Old Trafford in the January transfer window, reacted badly to little more than a bit of stick – something which every footballer has to expect and deal with.

Most players just grit their teeth and bare it, and that’s if they hear it and take it in. Reacting is generally just pouring fuel on the fire or handing bullets to your firing squad...Okay, maybe not that serious, but if you react in almost any way you’re asking for further abuse and you're not concentrating fully on the match.

However, it’s not a major incident even if it is undeniably unprofessional. This can, and probably will, be put down to Zaha’s youth and forgotten about, though it is nice to see him make his start in the Leeds/Manchester rivalry before he even pulls on a red jersey.

But hopefully us Leeds fans won't forget it too easily. It’s not a big deal by any means, but it’d be nice if we noted the incident and reminded Zaha of it in the near future when we’re playing Man U at least twice a season, wouldn't it?