Former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal has revealed that his ultimate transfer dream is to return to the Premier League.
United spell
Iqbal joined United’s youth set-up at the age of nine and came through the ranks, eventually signing his first professional contract in April 2021.
During his academy days, he gained a reputation for outstanding ball control and composed, unflappable performances in the middle of the park.
He made his senior debut on 8 December 2021 as an 89th-minute substitute during a UEFA Champions League group stage match against Young Boys at Old Trafford. He came onto the pitch in place of fellow academy graduate Jesse Lingard.
In making his debut, Iqbal made history. He became the first British-born South Asian to play for United, as well as the first Iraqi to feature for the club. In addition, he became the first British South Asian player ever to take the pitch in the Champions League.
But he later found opportunities extremely hard to come by at Old Trafford. He left in June 2023, joining Dutch club FC Utrecht on a four-year deal.
Now 23 years old, Iqbal has one year left on his contract in the Netherlands. He spoke to The Athletic and opened up on his time at the club, marking Cristiano Ronaldo in training and his future aspirations.
Iqbal’s remarks
Iqbal told the news outlet, “I got chosen to go do set pieces with the first team, and then I had to mark Cristiano (Ronaldo). I got told, ‘Just don’t do anything stupid. No elbows, no nothing.’”
“Just to see him in real life compared to FIFA (the video game), because sometimes FIFA’s face scan might be a bit off, you know?”
While at United, Iqbal was part of the Professional Footballers’ Association’s inclusion and mentoring programme for British Asians, which looks to improve their representation in the game.
He said about this, “When I was growing up, I didn’t have anyone to really look up to. When you see someone who looks like you, has the same hairstyle, dresses like you, speaks the same language, probably eats the same food at home, that hits home a bit more. You can relate a bit more.”
He said of making his United debut and subsequently featuring in pre-season, “Everything was on top of the world. I didn’t think I could have done anything wrong every time I got the ball, making the right decisions, doing the right skills or passes. Everything felt right.”
On his future, he remarked, “I’m open to anything… but of course, I want to play at the highest level possible.”
“For me, all eyes on the World Cup. I want to put my best foot forward there, show that I can hang around with the big players, and I always back myself, no matter who I play.”
Iqbal and his Iraq teammates kickstart their World Cup campaign on Tuesday, 16 June, when they face Norway.
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