Zidane Iqbal was close to joining FC Utrecht on loan in January before the move fell through.
He says even he does not know the reason why, but is glad to be finally in the Netherlands and is set to build on his singular minute of senior football at age 20. He leaves United with more Iraq caps (three) than Reds senior outings (one, his debut in December 2021).
Alejandro Garnacho is now the 'starboy' of Old Trafford but last summer it looked as though Iqbal would attain that title. His slick midfield appearances on the pre-season tour caught the eye, and he won a penalty against Cadiz during the mid-season break in Spain.
He joined first-team training for the whole of last season, which will have been an invaluable experience. But he may have felt a punch in the gut seeing Kobbie Mainoo, then 17, earn his first senior start before him during January's League Cup win over Charlton, even if in a different role to his.
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Perhaps his near-move across the North Sea partially explains his lack of look-in but there’s no doubt that Iqbal would have ended the season feeling that a change was needed. For all the players that have flown to Manchester from the Netherlands under Ten Hag, he is the first one to go the other way.
Ten Hag had spoken to Iqbal about what FC Utrecht, his former club, could offer him and after conversing with club staff, the youngster was sold on the move. The United boss may have to do similar with another player this summer.
Anthony Elanga seems destined for an exit, and United are keen to make it permanent. They have halved his asking price to £10m and are waiting to see if there are any takers.
Elanga is another academy product who has a bright future ahead of him, just maybe not at United any longer. The Sweden international has not scored since February 2022 and his only Premier League goal contribution this season came back in August.
After such a quick rise through the ranks under Ralf Rangnick in 2021/22, Elanga may have hesitancy over leaving Old Trafford despite his poor season. But former Carrington colleague Iqbal may have offered a reason why a permanent exit may be more beneficial for the winger.
Speaking to FC Utrecht club media upon his unveiling, Iqbal said: “It didn’t make sense to come on a loan, [whereas] permanent, I can grow as a player, have different experiences and play for a good team and just settle in.
“One year during a loan, I might not have a good season, but with a four-year contract, I give myself time and settle in and get going.”
For the situation Elanga currently finds himself in, the essence of Iqbal’s comments is a good one.
In reality, a loan move will probably do little to topple Marcus Rashford, Garnacho, Antony and even Jadon Sancho from the wing slots, and that’s not mentioning Bruno Fernandes’ ability to fill the flank.
Elanga has a good career ahead of him and he would benefit from a solid and consistent grounding elsewhere. On the other side of the coin, United would reap in much-needed transfer cash amid a tight summer budget.
But for the player himself, Elanga ought to consider Iqbal’s comments as a sensible reason to seek permanent pastures new to benefit both him and the club.
