Manchester United are confident winning the battle for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha.

The Daily Mail says Tottenham are understood to have opened negotiations with Palace, who value Zaha at £20million. However, the bidding is likely to start at around £7million with players also being offered on loan as part of a package that will include add-on cash based on performances.

United have apparently struggled to contact Palace chairman Steve Parish but will not be deterred. David Gill is back from holidays and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has set his stall at buying the world's best young talent.

He wants the opportunity to speak to Zaha personally once a deal has been agreed between clubs. The 71-year-old United manager believes that touch will help convince the 20-year-old his future lies at Old Trafford.