Handling the hype: Silky Zaha's living up to his reputation on the pitch while maturing off it ahead of summer move to Old Trafford

By Dominic King

PUBLISHED: 17:58 EST, 22 March 2013 | UPDATED: 03:03 EST, 23 March 2013

Wilfired Zaha is out of his comfort zone. Having spent an hour-and-a-half terrorising Romanian defenders, the next 15 minutes will involve him talking about a significant night in his young career.

The bottle of Man-of-the-Match champagne that sits by his side offers proof of how good his efforts were for England’s Under-21s on Thursday evening; pacey, powerful and skilful, Zaha served notice, with a goal in the 3-0 win, of why there is such a buzz around his name.

He is bound for Manchester United this summer, after they sealed a £15million deal with Crystal Palace in January, and the overwhelming opinion is that Sir Alex Ferguson has spent shrewdly. There is another school of thought, though, that the hype about Zaha outweighs his ability.

Star player: Zaha put in a man-of-the-match performance against Romania

Before he heads to Old Trafford, Zaha will almost certainly lead the line for England’s Under-21s at the European Championships in Israel and it is when this subject is raised that the 20-year-old provides his most illuminating answer.

Zaha might be a young man blessed with athleticism and natural talent but he is also fiercely ambitious and self-aware. Speaking to the national media might not have come easy but his performance was, in many ways, just as impressive.

‘For all the good stuff I hear (being said) about me, there are many that say I’ m over-rated,’ said Zaha, whose week ended on a high after it started with him receiving a one-match FA ban. ‘So this is going to be a great chance for me to show what I’m all about and why I have got to where I am now.

‘I know it will be a crazy experience for me out there (in Israel) so I’m looking forward to it. I do feel the pressure and the hardest thing about being a footballer is (how) to cope with it. I just get my head down and say to myself I’m there for a reason.

Scorcher: Zaha scored a fantastic curler for his first U21 goal in their 3-0 victory

‘Every time I go on the pitch I have to prove myself. I don’t know how I deal with it. I just keep my head down and try to cope with it. It has been a dream being involved in the international set-up. My first goal was just to get involved with the Under-21s.’

If that was his first target, his opening goal against Romania is likely to be the first of many.  Zaha dovetailed thrillingly with Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and their combination play showed why Roy Hodgson was so eager to give them a run-out for the senior side last November in Sweden.

Talk of that night in Stockholm, one of many great memories from a season that could see him win the Championship’s Young Player of the Year award tomorrow, brings a disbelieving shake of the head. In some ways, he actually struggles to believe it happened.

‘The difference between playing for the two teams is that I was more star struck when I’m playing with the senior England players,’ said Zaha, who had the chance to represent the Ivory Coast. ‘Playing with the likes of Steven Gerrard was ridiculous. His passing range was unbelievable.

‘I don’t think I’ll get used to it for a long time because I’ve been watching these players on Match of the day for years. To actually play with them and to be called up with them, wearing the England shirt, I’m not sure I will ever get used to it.

Centre of attention: Zaha has been the main man for Palace this season

‘I’m going to have to try and get used to it and go and play my own game. It doesn’t bother me or keep me awake at night. It’s just football and that’s what I have to do. But it is also enjoyable playing with the Under-21s as we can have a good laugh and we’re playing well together.

‘It will be more practice for me this summer for when I go into pre-season training with Manchester United. It’s a chance for me to better myself in different ways on a big stage. The team is bonding well together and we’re playing well so we’re looking forward to the tournament.’

Tussle: Zaha takes new United team-mate Fabio in last year's Carling Cup quarter final

So they should. Quietly and without fuss, the Under-21s are heading to Israel on the back of a record-breaking eight match winning sequence. They haven’t conceded a goal for more than 12 hours and head coach Stuart Pearce appears to have struck upon a potent formula.

The one criticism that could be levelled at Pearce’s side during their qualification campaign was they did not scored enough but, suddenly, the idea of Zaha, Sterling and Tom Ince combining – it would also not be a surprise if Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is added to that mix – opens up huge possibilities.

Playing Zaha as a central striker might have been a calculated gamble on Pearce’ s part – it didn’t work in the friendly against Sweden in February – but there is little doubt he has the tools for the role and he will be given another chance to advertise his claims against Austria on Monday night.

‘Everyone is one my wavelength,’ said Zaha, talking with more confidence the longer the interview progresses. ‘It is a lot of fun playing in our team.  We have got a massive chance this summer, because the strikers can just concentrate on scoring goals.

‘You know at the back we are so solid and never concede any. We can work up top without worrying. It was good up front on my own. It’s great because all the players in the team are talented so every run I make I know the other players will put me through and give me a chance.

‘Knowing that made it a lot easier for me. To finally get that goal means so much. There is a lot of belief in the team and seeing the players we have got and the talent in the team we know we have got a chance.’