Aheed Abrar
FC Utrecht-bound Zidane Iqbal feels right time to leave Manchester United
Zidane Iqbal, who is set to sign for FC Utrecht from Manchester United, feels the “time is right” to make a switch from the Old Trafford side.
The Red Devils have accepted an offer of around €1 million from the Eredivisie outfit to part ways with the Iraq international. A few days back, the youngster completed his medical and is expected to put pen to paper on a four-year contract.
Taking to social media via Manchester Evening News, the 20-year-old shared some parting words. He is looking forward to starting a new adventure in the Netherlands and further developing as a player.
“The time is right to go and take on a new challenge. It is one that I cannot wait for and I’ll be applying myself with the same level of desire, determination and dedication that has taken me this far in my career. This is a perfect opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.”
Iqbal made his way through the youth ranks at United. The midfielder has been one of the most promising prospects to come out of the academy in recent times.
In the 2021/22 season, the Iraqi national was handed his debut for the Red Devils in the Champions League. He came on as a substitute in the final minutes of a group-stage fixture at home against BSC Young Boys that ended in a 1-1 draw.
However, that was the youngster’s only appearance for the senior side. In the previous campaign, he made the bench on several occasions but did not get an opportunity to feature by Erik ten Hag.
It was during pre-season under the Dutch manager that Iqbal caught a lot of people’s attention. The midfielder put in some impressive displays in the friendlies alongside Charlie Savage. Unfortunately, the gaffer did not seem to trust the Iraqi national enough.
But Utrecht is a team Ten Hag knows well. The Dutch manager featured for them during his playing career. The gaffer also managed the Eredivisie outfit before going on to have a successful stint at Ajax Amsterdam.
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The Netherlands has the pedigree of developing young players. Hopefully, Iqbal will thrive and grow from strength to strength at the Stadion Galgenwaard side. Will the 20-year-old make his way back to United in the future? Only time will tell.
