Wilfried Zaha will be Handed Striker Role to Save Manchester United Career

Wilfried Zaha will have his first opportunity to impress Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal in his side's friendly with Inter Milan on Tuesday.

Zaha, 21, is the only member of the 25-man squad that has travelled to the US for United's pre-season tour not to play a single minute of the club's first two games against LA Galaxy and AS Roma.

The winger's lack of action has raised further questions over his future at Old Trafford after an underwhelming first season at the club where he made just four appearances before being sent out on loan to Cardiff City.

But van Gaal recently insisted the former Crystal Palace starlet has been doing everything that has been asked of him in training and will be rewarded with game time against the Nerazzurri, albeit in an unfamiliar striker role.

"He will play in the second-half in the striker's position (against Inter)," van Gaal told reporters. "When we play this system he has to play as a striker, otherwise he cannot play."

Van Gaal's comments suggest Zaha will have to adapt to a new position if he is to have a future at Old Trafford. United's orthodox wingers have already had to redefine themselves under the new regime as the Dutchman has opted for a narrow front three up top. Antonio Valencia has taken up a wing-back role on the right while Ashley Young will also be tested in the same position on the left, having also been utilised as striker in the 7-0 win over LA Galaxy last week.

Zaha was Sir Alex Ferguson's last signing for the club after they agreed a £15m deal with Palace in January 2013. The winger started in David Moyes' first competitive game in charge of the club in the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield last August but went on to make just three more appearances off the bench before being sent out on loan.

Under the management of United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Zaha would start just three games at Cardiff and was unable to help the club avoid relegation.