With the exception of Martin Dubravka starting in place of David de Gea between the sticks, the teamsheet did not carry too many surprises when it was released ahead of Manchester United's 4-2 friendly defeat to Cadiz CF on Wednesday night.
Taking a pool of 29 players to Spain with him for this week's training camp and two friendlies, United manager Erik ten Hag was always expected to name as strong a line-up as possible for the clash with the La Liga strugglers. His starting line-up featured a blend of both youth and experience, including the likes of Teden Mengi, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial.
Although it was not light on quality, it was a far cry from the XI that we have become so used to seeing under Ten Hag this season. But with most of the Dutchman's most senior stars still in Qatar at the World Cup it was always to be expected.
READ MORE: United player ratings vs Cadiz CF as Zidane Iqbal impresses
Of the 11 that started against Cadiz, prior to Ten Hag mixing things up at the half-time interval, each area of the team featured both youth and experience. While the defence featured Mengi and the attack featured Alejandro Garnacho, the midfield featured Zidane Iqbal.
It was the first time that the 19-year-old, who was watched by Iraq assistant coach Alejandro Varela from the stands, had featured for the first-team squad since United's concluding pre-season friendly against Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford at the end of July. That afternoon, the Iraq international stepped off the bench with just over 15 minutes left to replace James Garner to make his fifth and final appearance of the Reds' pre-season campaign.
He was selected to go on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and featured in all four of the fixtures that United fulfilled during the tour, appearing as a substitute in each of them. Every time he stepped off the bench, not least in the 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory, he had a positive impact, looking to get on the ball and make things happen by being adventurous and brave.
It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that we have not seen more of him this season, even as a substitute now and again. He has not earned a single minute worth of competitive football at first-team level this season. The closest he has come to ending that drought is when he has been named on the substitutes bench on nine occasions, six of which came in the Europa League.
But considering how impressive he was in the opening 45 minutes of United's defeat to Cadiz, that could be about to change in the not too distant future. Against the Spanish side, Iqbal was influential in enabling Martial to help United eat into Cadiz's 2-0 lead. He linked-up nicely with the Frenchman, being progressive and forward-thinking, before drawing a foul to win a penalty.
It was quick, intricate play from the youngster, who, off the back of his performances in pre-season, has deserved more so far this season. But given the likelihood of him getting another opportunity to impress against Real Betis in United's second friendly of their training camp on Saturday, Iqbal, should he deliver the goods again, may find himself in a prime position to earn his first competitive start for the Reds against Burnley in the Carabao Cup in just under a fortnight's time.
The meeting with the Clarets is likely to see Ten Hag choose from the same pool of players that he has taken to Spain with him, meaning Iqbal ought to be in a strong position to earn his first competitive start for United. His only previous experience of earning first-team minutes in competitive action was when he appeared as a late substitute against BSC Young Boys in the Champions League under Ralf Rangnick a year ago.
Given the onus will be on United to get on the front-foot and avoid a cup upset against the Championship side, Iqbal, who likes to get on the ball and be proactive, could be tailor-made for the situation. He has caught the eye of the fans every time he has appeared under Ten Hag, albeit in friendlies, meaning he now deserves a chance to test himself in a scenario where the result actually matters.
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