Erik ten Hag is ready to let Zidane Iqbal leave Manchester United this summer after lamenting him in an x-rated rant several months ago.
The club's academy graduate has long been tipped for big things, but has struggled to get opportunities and wanted to leave on loan previously. Iqbal was named on the bench on seven occasions during the Premier League season, but failed to get a single minute.
The Iraqi international is keen to get minutes on a regular basis and a loan exit is most likely, but a permanent exit is also on the cards, ManchesterWorld reports. Iqbal has come through the system as a central midfielder, but there are several players in front of him in the pecking order.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were both signed last summer before Marcel Sabitzer joined on loan in January. Fred and Scott McTominay are also options for Ten Hag, meaning Iqbal has huge competition before he can become a starter.
The United boss is in the midst of embedding his philosophy at Old Trafford and that was evident when he lamented Iqbal during training. Ten Hag was filmed shouting at Iqbal during a drill: "Keep the ball on the floor... Zidane! Hey! Keep the ball! F***ing rubbish!"
Ralf Rangnick handed Iqbal his debut back in December 2021 when he came on as a substitute in a Champions League game against Young Boys. Since then he's not enjoy many opportunities for United and last summer admitted he was open to a loan spell - a desire that will only have increased.
He said at the time: "I am not sure. If an opportunity came up to go out on loan, I would weigh up the pros and cons.
"Right now it is too early to say. See what the future holds. It's the best feeling [to be playing]. I have grown up loving this club. I have played here since I was eight or nine."
Several young midfielders at the club have had to go elsewhere to get minutes. Hannibal Mejbri, who has been hailed as a future star, went out on loan to Birmingham last term to further his own development.
Ten Hag could also add more midfielders to his squad, which would decrease the chance of an academy player getting minutes. Mason Mount has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Red Devils as his contract with Chelsea winds down. It now remains for United to agree a fee with the Blues, but the two parties are someway apart currently.
