Big things were expected from midfielder Zidane Iqbal during his time at Manchester United only for the young person to be sold for a low fee under the watch of former boss Erik ten Hag
Exmanchester United Starlet Zidane Iqbal has opened itself by feeling 'not respected' by former boss Erik ten Hag – who eventually leads to his exit from Old Trafford. After he joined the club as a nine -year -old, the midfielder worked his way up through the ranks with the Red Devils.
He was on the edge of the first football team in 2021 and eventually made his first team debut against young boys in the Champions League. But that was as good as it received for Iqbal, which was eventually sold on the Dutch side of Utrecht in the summer of 2023.
And he has now opened his decision to leave after he was effectively set aside by the then Boss ten Hag. Speaking with the National, the 22-year-old said: “I just wanted 10 minutes from a bench to show myself and it really frustrated me that the Gaffer did not seem to judge me enough to give me a chance to show if I could sink or swim.
“I spoke with my father and agent and said,” I can't do this for another year. “From the outside it looked great for all my friends because I was training and traveled with the first team of United. It was mentally difficult for me because I was only training and was not allowed to play with the Under-23s. I thought with myself,” I am just like a song like like like. “”
Iqbal hoped that he had the opportunity to play against Charlton Athletic in the League Cup, only for ten hag to dismiss him again – and then he realized that he had to leave.
He added: “Then I came to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and did not see my name. I was stripped. Then I thought I would come from the couch. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn't feel that the manager respected me enough to play me.”
And after seeing a number of promising young people looking for opportunities abroad, Iqbal did not hesitate when he left, especially after ten Hag had asked him not to play on the world cup under 19.
Iqbal said: “The manager [Ten Hag] Listened and told me that he didn't want me to go to the tournament. He said it was the end of the season; We had injuries and also needed training numbers. He said I had to stay patient. So I did. I was sure that I would play for a few minutes and be the first Iraqi player in the Premier League.
“It didn't happen, not even in the last games when there was little to play for. My best friend, Ali Al Hamadi of Ipswich, became the first Iraqi player, so I'm glad he is it.
“But I told my agent that I had to move. I had done everything that was asked and had no chance. I saw that Jadon Sancho had moved abroad from Man City, Paul Pogba from Man United. I was happy to take a similar route.”
The IQbal conversations with Ten Hag were not only limited to a transfer request. The Dutchman was also seen and let his anger be known to the young person if he hit him as “F *** ING waste” during a training session.