The Iraq international joined United’s academy at the age of nine but left in 2023 after only one senior team appearance
Zidane Iqbal has criticised former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for what he describes as misleading assurances about first-team opportunities, revealing the frustration that led to his departure from Old Trafford.
Now playing for FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie, the 22-year-old midfielder opened up in a recent interview with The National, saying how he believed he was on the verge of a breakthrough at United, only to be continually left out of the squad.
“I just wanted 10 minutes off the bench to show myself,” said Iqbal. “It really frustrated me that the gaffer didn’t seem to rate me enough to give me a chance to show if I could sink or swim.”
The Iraq international joined United’s academy at the age of nine and made his only senior appearance for the club in 2021, a late cameo in a Champions League group game. Despite regularly training and travelling with the first team, Iqbal was never afforded a meaningful opportunity by Ten Hag.
His breaking point came during preparations for a Carabao Cup match against Charlton Athletic in January 2023. Iqbal says he was told he would start, participated in tactical training as part of the first XI, and even received encouragement from senior players like Lisandro Martinez who expected him to seize the opportunity he would soon be given with both hands.
“It motivated me,” said Iqbal. “It was nice from him, an aggressive leader in the team, a big player.
“I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance. Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn’t see my name. I was gutted.
“Then I thought I’d come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn’t feel the manager respected me enough to play me.
“The manager told me to stay patient. So I did. I was sure I’d play some minutes and become 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 happy it’s him.
“But I told my agent that I needed to move. I’d done everything that was asked and didn’t get a chance.”
