Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag

Manchester United’s academy product Zidane Iqbal seems to have heavily impressed the club’s new manager Erik ten Hag.

The Iraqi midfielder grabbed the opportunity of proving his point to Ten Hag with both the hands after being involved in the preseason. Ten Hag has now communicated to the club he wants to work with Iqbal for next season.

The Dutchman even went as far as blocking a loan move of the 19-year-old in a bid to keep him at the club. United believe Iqbal has a lot of scope for improvement and regular first-team minutes would further help.

Erik ten Hag
Zidane Iqbal has had lasting impact on Erik ten Hag after featuring in every preseason friendly under the new manager. Image Credits: Twitter

Iqbal cracked into the Man United first-team after a series of exciting displays for the youth ranks. He was handed his debut by Ralf Rangnick last year in the 1-1 draw against BSC Young Boys in the Champions League.

Youngsters key to Erik ten Hag’s system at United

Since his debut last year, Iqbal is yet to reappear for the United first-team. Ten Hag however took the teenager on the club’s preseason tours to Thailand an Australia.

Iqbal was handed with surplus minutes as he featured in all four friendlies, while putting on an impressive display in the 4-0 win against Liverpool.

As Erik ten Hag is planning to significantly overhaul this United team with new signings, Iqbal had a little chance to get regular minutes post new arrivals.

Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag wants to work with the youngster next season and hence blocked his loan move. Image Credits: Twitter

However, Ten Hag has shown his willingness to hand in the midfielder regular minutes in his project, thus avoiding him from going out on loan.

The manager has also talked with the club hierarchy who felt a loan move was best for Iqbal’s further development. The youngster will be now heading into the next season as part of Ten Hag’s first-team plans.

Ten Hag has clearly communicated through his preseason selections that young talents are a key to impose his system at United. The Dutchman favours a high-pressing game which needs young legs to run tirelessly.

Iqbal has a contract till the summer of 2025 with United, and is reaping the rewards of his robust performances. He will now be focusing on earning as many minutes as possible in the upcoming 2022/23 season under Ten Hag.

Nonetheless, the youngster is well set to follow in the footsteps of players such as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga who made it big coming through the club’s academy.