Aheed Abrar
Zidane Iqbal is expected to stay at Manchester United this summer
Manchester United have decided to keep Zidane Iqbal at the club this summer, according to Jonathan Shrager on Twitter (h/t Manchester Evening News).
Earlier during the transfer window, there were suggestions that Erik ten Hag and Darren Fletcher were discussing a loan move for the 19-year-old. However, it seems the management has had a change of heart.
Iqbal impressed a lot of people during the pre-season. In the first friendly against Liverpool, the Iraqi national put in a mature performance. He subsequently played well in other fixtures on the Asia and Australia tour for United.
As a result, Ten Hag has decided to keep the 19-year-old around the first-team dynamics. While Iqbal is expected to play regularly for the U21 side, he’ll train with the first-team squad.
Iqbal is already a full international and has two caps for the Iraq national side. The 19-year-old is one of the brightest prospects to come out of the academy in recent times.
United have another young talent as well in the middle of the park. Charlie Savage partnered with Iqbal during pre-season and looked promising.
Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata all left United this summer. The Red Devils have seen numbers in the middle of the park dwindle. However, we did dip into the market during the transfer window.
For Now, United have an abundance of talent in the engine room. The Red Devils have signed Christian Eriksen and Casemiro to bolster the midfield.
Other options at Ten Hag’s disposal include the likes of Donny van de Beek, Fred, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes.
More Manchester United News
- Sergino Dest and Thomas Meunier both available on loan for Manchester United with late deal on the cards
- Transfer News: Sunderland closing on a move to sign young Manchester United attacker Amad Diallo on loan
- Erik ten Hag will not be getting a new right-back and central midfielder as Manchester United set to end spending spree
Iqbal is going to be around quality players and train with them. However, whether Ten Hag trusts the youngster to play in the Europa League and cup competitions for United remains to be seen.
