Manchester United’s recent struggles have left many questioning the club’s internal dynamics and player management under past leadership.
The 2024/25 season was disappointing on multiple fronts, but beyond results, some former players have voiced their frustrations over how they were treated behind the scenes.
Youth prospects, in particular, have found breaking into the senior squad a challenging and often demoralising experience.
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During these struggles, the club’s changing management landscape has also seen key figures depart and new ones take charge, reshaping Manchester United’s direction on and off the pitch.
One former Manchester United youngster has recently spoken out about his difficult exit from the club after feeling overlooked by then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Zidane Iqbal, now 22 and currently playing for Dutch side Utrecht, revealed how he was promised game time for a Carabao Cup tie but was ultimately left on the bench without a single minute on the pitch.
Zidance Iqbal, who made just one senior appearance for United as a late substitute in a Champions League game in 2021, joined United’s youth setup at the tender age of nine and was once tipped for a bright future at Old Trafford.
Speaking to The National, Iqbal opened up about his frustrations and what led to his decision to leave Manchester United.
“I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to show myself and it really frustrated me that the gaffer didn’t seem to rate me enough to give me a chance to show if I could sink or swim,” he said.
He revealed the mental strain he endured, explaining, “From the outside, it looked amazing to all my friends because I was training and travelling with United’s first team.
“For me, it was mentally tough because I was just training and not allowed to play with the Under-23s.
“I thought to myself, ‘I’m just like a number’.”
Zidane Iqbal also described how he was set to start the cup game against League One’s Charlton Athletic, saying, “I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training.
“I was starting as a 10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: ‘Now’s your chance’.
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“He talked to me and said, ‘all of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you’re a good player. We’re going to fight for you, make sure you’re ready to fight’.
“It motivated me and it was nice from him, an aggressive leader in the team, a big player. I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance.”
However, his hopes were dashed on match day: “Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn’t see my name.
“I was gutted. Then I thought I’d come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me.
“I didn’t feel the manager respected me enough to play me.”
Since his departure, Iqbal has made 18 appearances for Utrecht in the Eredivisie during the 2024-25 season, scoring once and helping the club secure a fourth-place finish, which qualifies them for the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag has moved on from Manchester United to manage Bayer Leverkusen, replacing Xabi Alonso, but has faced challenges with key players Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both transferring to Liverpool.
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