'He didn't respect me' - Former Manchester United wonderkid Zidane Iqbal slams Erik ten Hag for broken promises before Old Trafford exit

Iqbal only ever made one first-team appearance for United - that coming in the Champions League as an 89th minute substitute in 2021 - despite spending plenty of time around the squad. Now at Utrecht, the 22-year-old has spoken on how he was led to believe he would feature prominently in a Carabao Cup tie only to be left unused on the bench.

The Iraq international was on the books at United from nine years of age and looked close to breaking into the squad, having been tipped for big things from a young age. However, he has now opened up on how he came to the decision to leave Old Trafford after feeling overlooked by Ten Hag, who was eventually sacked in October 2024.

Speaking to The National, Iqbal said: “I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to show myself and it really frustrated me that the gaffer didn’t seem to rate me enough to give me a chance to show if I could sink or swim.

"I spoke to my dad and agent and said: ‘I can’t do this for another year’. From the outside, it looked amazing to all my friends because I was training and travelling with United’s first team. For me, it was mentally tough because I was just training and not allowed to play with the Under-23s. I thought to myself, ‘I’m just like a number’. I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton Athletic from League One.

"I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training. I was starting as a 10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: ‘Now’s your chance’. He talked to me and said, ‘all of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you’re a good player. We’re going to fight for you, make sure you’re ready to fight'. It motivated me and it was nice from him, an aggressive leader in the team, a big player. I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance.

"Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn’t see my name. I was gutted. Then I thought I’d come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn’t feel the manager respected me enough to play me."

Iqbal is now with Utrecht and made 18 Eredivisie appearances during the 2024-25 season, scoring one goal as they finished fourth to reach the second qualifying round of the Europa League. Ten Hag, meanwhile, has replaced Xabi Alonso as Bayer Leverkusen manager and has seen key stars Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both depart for Liverpool.