logo
‘I was gutted' – Former Man Utd wonderkid felt ‘disrespected' by Ten Hag as he reveals moment he knew he had to leave

‘I was gutted' – Former Man Utd wonderkid felt ‘disrespected' by Ten Hag as he reveals moment he knew he had to leave

The Sun08-07-2025
ZIDANE IQBAL has opened up on how he thought Erik ten Hag did not "respect me enough to play".
The former Manchester United wonderkid had starred for the club since the age of nine before going on to make his professional debut for the senior team in 2021 during a Champions League clash against Young Boys.
4
4
That appearance saw him create history by becoming the first British-born South Asian or Iraqi international to play for the club and first ever British South Asian to play in the Champions League.
However, in June 2023 it was announced the youngster would be leaving Old Trafford to join Dutch side Utrecht.
And Iqbal has now given a candid interview about his exit to respected Man Utd journalist, Andy Mitten, published in The National.
Now a full senior international for his country, the 22-year-old has recalled one incident which he views as the "turning point" for the promising trajectory of his Man Utd career.
Iqbal recalls how, after being moved to the first team dressing room at the start of the season, he had grown frustrated with a lack of senior minutes off the bench, telling his dad and agent: "I can't do this for another year."
A would-be chance finally reared its head in the League Cup quarter-final against Charlton at Old Trafford in January 2023.
Iqbal claims he was set to start the clash as the Number 10 against the League One outfit having been involved in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training.
He even recalls a classy gesture from Lisandro Martinez as the Argentine defender told him: "'Now's your chance, all of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you're a good player."
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
However, Iqbal saw his dreams dashed come matchday, and opened up how then Red Devils boss Ten Hag had left him feeling "disrespected."
He said: "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 would not make the bench again in the Cup as Man Utd went on to beat Newcastle in the final, while he also did not make a single matchday squad for the FA Cup.
In fact, after his quarter-final disappointment, Iqbal only made the Man Utd bench on three more occasions in the Premier League.
But he was an unused substitute in back-to-back clashes against Leeds and an away game against Nottingham Forest.
Iqbal explained how his lack of game time led to him wanting to go to the Under-19 World Cup that April.
He took pointers off of Tom Heaton on how to argue his case to the manager, with the senior goalkeeper telling him: "That's awful. You're making it about yourself. Make it about the gaffer."
In their meeting Ten Hag urged him not to go and to stay patient, which he did by remaining at Man Utd for the Spring, but those minutes never materialised and he lost his chance to become the Premier League's first Iraqi footballer.
That noteworthy accolade has since gone to Ali Al-Hamadi when he came off the bench to star for Ipswich Town against Liverpool in August 2024.
His appearance took the number of nationalities to appear in England 's top flight to 124.
In the end Iqbal told his agent he wanted a transfer away, and took inspiration from Jadon Sancho who had travelled away from England to spark his career into gear.
Iqbal 18 games in the Eredivisie last season and scored one goal before a knee injury ended his season.
On his future he said his goal was to recover from his knee blow and get back to playing week in week out.
He called Utrecht a "family club", but added manager Ron Jans is "very nice" despite the environment still being "ruthless".
Iqbal concluded: "For me, I'll continue to do my best for my club and for Iraq. This is the life that I always wanted."
4
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Marcus Rashford makes Barcelona debut during friendly win in Japan
Marcus Rashford makes Barcelona debut during friendly win in Japan

South Wales Argus

time27 minutes ago

  • South Wales Argus

Marcus Rashford makes Barcelona debut during friendly win in Japan

The 27-year-old, who has joined the Catalan club from Manchester United on a season-long loan, was introduced at half-time before being withdrawn after 78 minutes. Rashford had an effort saved during his first outing for Hansi Flick's side, who took the win courtesy of goals from Eric Garcia, Roony Bardghji and academy star Pedro Fernandez. New guy looked sharp out there — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 27, 2025 Bardghji, another summer arrival from Copenhagen, put Barcelona back in front after Taisei Miyashiro had levelled for the hosts. Spain star Lamine Yamal, 18, was presented with Barcelona's famous number 10 shirt – previously worn by the likes of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi – before kick-off. Flick, quoted on Barcelona's website, explained why Rashford only played for 33 minutes, saying: 'He's a week behind the others. He hasn't been training as much with the ball, and we want to look after him.' Rashford, in a Barca video shown by Sky Sports News, said: 'Good performance, good to play in front of the fans, good (for) fitness. So I'm looking forward to the next games. Marcus Rashford reacts to making his first appearance for Barcelona in their pre-season win over Vissel Kobe in Japan 💪 {Credit: Barcelona} — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 27, 2025 'Pleased that we could win the game today but of course the most important thing is just settling in and, for the team, getting the patterns in and playing good football and I thought we did that in both halves. 'It's difficult in games like that where you change the team at half-time, but I thought we did well.' He added: 'The reason I'm here is to help the team try to win. So I'm going to listen to whatever information I need to listen to and try to put it into the game and help the team go forward. 'I can play over different positions. It's one of my strengths, to play across the front line. I'll play where the team needs me and try to score goals and create goals from those positions.'

Lionesses lift Euro 2025 trophy as England retain title in thrilling penalty shootout
Lionesses lift Euro 2025 trophy as England retain title in thrilling penalty shootout

The Independent

time27 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Lionesses lift Euro 2025 trophy as England retain title in thrilling penalty shootout

England successfully defended their title, beating world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties in the Euro 2025 final. Chloe Kelly scored the decisive winning penalty for England. The Lionesses came from behind, with Alessia Russo equalising Mariona Caldentey's opening goal. Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton made several crucial saves during the penalty shootout. This victory served as revenge for England, following their defeat to Spain in the 2023 World Cup.

England player ratings v Spain: Hannah Hampton stars as Lionesses win women's Euro 2025 final
England player ratings v Spain: Hannah Hampton stars as Lionesses win women's Euro 2025 final

The Independent

time27 minutes ago

  • The Independent

England player ratings v Spain: Hannah Hampton stars as Lionesses win women's Euro 2025 final

England are European champions again after triumphing in a dramatic Women's Euro 2025 final in Basel. Substitute Chloe Kelly fired in the winning penalty as England completed another spectacular shootout comeback to defend their title and beat world champions Spain 3-1 on penalties. The Lionesses came back twice to reach the decider and book this revenge mission against the same side who beat them at the 2023 World Cup in Sydney. And Mariona Caldentey ensured England would need another when she nodded in a 25th-minute opener, cancelled out by her Arsenal team-mate Alessia Russo with a header of her own from Kelly's cross after the break. Hannah Hampton made several spectacular saves in the shootout before Kelly netted the dramatic winner after Sama Paralluelo's miss. Here is how England's players rated. Hannah Hampton, 8: Sent off balance and rooted to the spot as she watched Caldentey's header float into the corner, but redeemed herself with a heroic display in the shootout. An England legend. Lucy Bronze, 6: Bronze never clocked Caldentey sneaking up on her blindside, and watched with her head in her hands as England fell behind. A costly moment in such a huge match to lose concentration, but a much better second half. Leah Williamson, 8: Quietly excellent, dealing with a series of Spanish crosses and throughballs in typically understated fashion. Almost made a goal, too, with a brilliant surge late in the second half. Jess Carter, 7: Strong defensive performance, even if she found herself dragged out of position at times in the first half as Spain took charge. Alex Greenwood, 6: Turned inside out on a couple of occasions by Spain's passing, especially when Aitana Bonmati appeared to target the space in behind England's left-back. But made a good late intervention in the second half to prevent a Spanish winner. Ella Toone, 6: Worked hard off the ball without having much of an impact on it. Helped England keep the ball in periods where they needed some calm influence. Came off with five minutes of the second half remaining. Keira Walsh, 6: England's closest thing to a Spanish midfielder, typically tidy but Walsh was often overrun in central midfield by her supreme opponents. Georgia Stanway, 6: A bit weak in her challenge on Bonmati which led to the Spanish goal, but fought doggedly for her team in several key defensive moments. Lauren Hemp, 5: Missed a big chance in the first half when squaring the ball to Lauren James was perhaps a better option than choosing to shoot herself. Offered a useful outlet with her speed down the right side. Alessia Russo, 8: A quiet first half, but delivered England's big moment with a perfectly placed header into the far corner. Linked play well and worked hard to put pressure on the ball. Lauren James, 5: One telling moment, pressing high up the pitch, forced a turnover and led to Hemp's big first-half chance. But James didn't look fully fit and hobbled off before half-time with what looked like a recurrence of the ankle injury that also ended her semi-final early.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store