"It really frustrated me" - Former Man United wonderkid opens up on Erik ten Hag row in bombshell interview
Former Manchester United wonderkid Zidane Iqbal has opened up on the frustration and sense of disrespect that led up to his departure from Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old midfielder was once considered the crown jewel of United’s academy after progressing through the ranks before linking up with the first team.
Iqbal joined the Red Devils at just nine years old, but his integration into the first team was far from smooth sailing, especially under Erik ten Hag’s leadership.
He made history when he made his debut for United in a Champions League clash against Young Boys in 2021.
Ralf Rangnick was United’s head coach at the time as Iqbal became the first British-born South Asian to play in the Champions League.
That moment should have been the start of his breakthrough in the first team. Instead, it was a rare highlight in a frustrating chapter of his still-blossoming career.
Iqbal was a familiar face during the first team training sessions, but admitted that he felt invisible when it was time for the manager to make matchday decisions.
Speaking to The National, the talented midfielder has opened up on his experience under Ten Hag and why he felt he had no choice but to leave.
“I thought I would get a chance, and unfortunately, I didn’t,” he said. “Although I was on the bench 19 times during the season.
“I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to show myself, and 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.
Iqbal said that despite the idea that he was living the dream, he felt like “just like a number” when he wasn’t getting competitive minutes, even with the Under-23s.
“From the outside, it looked amazing to all my friends because I was training and travelling with United’s first team,” he added.
“For me, it was mentally tough because I was just training and not allowed to play with the under-23s. I thought to myself, ‘I’m just like a number’.”
The final straw came during a League Cup match against Charlton Athletic. Iqbal was hoping for a runout, but he wasn’t selected by Ten Hag.
“I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton Athletic from League 1,” he said. “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.”
Iqbal ultimately left United for FC Utrecht in 2023. He had a rough start to life in the Netherlands but has since racked up 40 appearances for the Dutch side.
Article written by onyekachiuwanabi .