Young talent Zidane Iqbal is set to depart Manchester United and join Dutch Eredivisie club Utrecht, with the necessary paperwork in progress.
According to The Athletic, the 20-year-old midfielder’s transfer is nearing completion, pending the final details. United has agreed to allow him to move on, and the switch is expected to be finalized for a fee of €1 million.
Iqbal is close to finalizing a four-year contract with Utrecht, having successfully completed his medical examinations earlier this week.
The deal also reportedly includes a significant sell-on clause for Man United. The article suggests that the club may have let go of the talented midfielder too easily, possibly influenced by Erik ten Hag’s lack of faith in him.
Iqbal, who hails from Manchester, progressed through the ranks at Carrington and signed his first professional contract in April 2021 after impressing in the youth team.
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He made his senior debut for United later that year, coming on as a substitute in a Champions League match against Young Boys.
Despite high expectations for Iqbal, he has not been given a genuine opportunity to showcase his abilities under Ten Hag’s management.
The Iraqi star showed promise during the preseason last year while being part of the manager’s squad. However, despite being included in the matchday squad for 17 games in the previous season, he did not get a single opportunity to play in the Premier League during the 2022/23 season.
The article suggests that Ten Hag’s reluctance to rely on inexperienced players could be attributed to the club’s desperate need for immediate results in his first season in the Premier League.
Nevertheless, the decision to let go of Iqbal is surprising, especially considering the current midfield options available to the Dutch manager.
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With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen ageing, and doubts surrounding Fred’s ability to perform under pressure, Iqbal’s departure raises eyebrows. It is argued that he should have been given a chance to demonstrate his potential before being released.
We hope that the manager won’t come to regret this decision in the future.
