Ex-Man Utd star in furious row with manager ‘axed by new club’ | Football | Sport

Ex-Manchester United star Zidane Iqbal could be on the move once again in January, two-and-a-half years after leaving Old Trafford. The 22-year-old swapped United for Utrecht after failing to make the grade in England, but has struggled to establish himself in the Netherlands and has been demoted to his club’s reserve side.

Iqbal, who has been capped 22 times by Iraq, spent 11 years at Old Trafford. The midfielder progressed through the club’s academy but played just one minute for the first team before being shipped off to Utrecht. He has gone on to appear 47 times for his current team, but now appears to have lost the backing of manager Ron Jans.

Iqbal started 15 consecutive Eredivisie games at one point last season as his team finished fourth in the table after losing just six matches.

But he has fallen out of favour this time round and has featured in just four starting line-ups in all competitions since the campaign got underway. And Utrecht boss Ron Jans has suggested the player will be moved on during the January transfer window.

“We have to go and see in January. We think it is best for all parties if there is a different solution. He can look forward to another club,” Jans told De Telegraaf.

“Lately, I thought he wasn’t in the game, but I’ve never had any disciplinary problems with him. He’s a good player, but I think we also want to make more room in January for guys from our own academy to bring them closer to the first team. Guys like [Jaygo] Van Ommeren and [Oualid] Agougil.

“Then you also have to free up space. Zidane does not feel happy with his current role. Then you have to look for another solution.”

Utrecht paid under £1million to land Iqbal from the Red Devils, 18 months after he had made his sole appearance for the United first-team as a late substitute against Young Boys in the Champions League.

And the player may have ultimately been relieved to head through the Old Trafford exit after being cut down by Erik ten Hag during a pre-season training session in Perth one year before his departure.

Iqbal was part of United’s touring squad in Australia in the summer of 2022 but fell short of his manager’s standards during one training drill. And Ten Hag was heard shouting: “Keep the ball on the floor… Zidane. Hey. Keep the ball. F***ing rubbish.”