Manchester United prospect Zidane Iqbal continued his striking pre-season with a piece of sublime footwork during Friday's triumph over Melbourne Victory.
The Red Devils secured a 4-1 win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to ensure Erik ten Hag maintained his perfect record during pre-season. The visitors fell behind in the fifth minute but battled back to earn a convincing victory thanks to goals from Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and a late own-goal.
Just as he did during Tuesday's comprehensive 4-0 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool in Bangkok, Ten Hag made wholesale changes at half-time. Iqbal was among the youngsters introduced as every outfield player was substituted and the 19-year-old midfielder followed up his eye-catching display against Jurgen Klopp's Reds with another promising performance to put fans on alert.
He took up a midfield berth alongside fellow academy talent Charlie Savage - the son of former Wales international Robbie - and showed maturity beyond his teenage years with his desire to get on the ball and dictate play. The highlight of Iqbal's outing came early in the second half, when he left two Melbourne Victory players in his wake with a delightful piece of skill.
He collected the ball roughly 30 yards from the opposition goal and produced a roulette turn to evade danger and burst into space. It was a moment which summed up Iqbal's confidence and technical ability, while his overall display gives Ten Hag a decision to make as he prepares to chose his first-team squad for the campaign proper.
Not only did Iqbal show great balance and a delicate touch to turn away from two opposition players, he also proved his mettle and strength in the seconds prior by shrugging off a challenge to make space for himself to attempt the audacious move.
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Iqbal has only made one senior appearance for United, which came in a group-stage clash against Young Boys last season. Ralf Rangnick was the interim manager at the time of his late cameo against the Swiss side and the player soon went back to playing for the Under-23s.
However, there is a new man in the dugout and Ten Hag is sure to have taken notice of the Iraq international's performances on pre-season so far as he seizes his opportunity. Iqbal is clearly relishing playing under the Dutchman and said at full-time: "The manager is amazing. Giving us different tactics off the ball, on the ball. He's got an idea. It's early doors obviously, I think we're in the third week of pre-season, but we kind of have an idea of what we need to do."
