Zidane Iqbal left Man United on a permanent deal in June 2023 to try and develop his career elsewhere.
Zidane Iqbal warms up alongside Alejandro Garnacho on the touchline at the City Ground.
Zidane Iqbal (left) was never given a meaningful opportunity at Old Trafford.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Former Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal has detailed how being left out of the starting line-up for the 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup in January 2023 convinced him to leave Old Trafford.
Iqbal was the breakout star of United's 2022 pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, producing some eye-catching performances that did not go unnoticed.
He was rewarded by making the bench for all six of United's Europa League group games and it felt as though a full debut was inevitable after the Reds were drawn at home to Charlton, who were a League One side at the time, in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals midway through the 2022/23 campaign.
Instead, former United manager Erik ten Hag handed a debut to Kobbie Mainoo, who was a relatively unknown figure at the time, meaning Iqbal had to settle for a place on the bench much to his disbelief.
The Iraq international, who now plays for Dutch side FC Utrecht, has revealed how he was in line to start the cup win over the Addicks, admitting his omission from the starting line-up marked the moment he realised he needed a change of scenery.
"I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton Athletic from League One," Iqbal told The National. "I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training.
"I was starting as a No.10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: 'Now's your chance'. 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.
"Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn't see my name. I was gutted.
Zidane Iqbal in action for FC Utrecht.
Zidane Iqbal joined Manchester United two years ago.
"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."
The 22-year-old, who was signed by United at the age of eight, left Old Trafford later that year, joining Utrecht in June 2023 on a four-year deal. He has since made 40 appearances, scoring one goal.
His only appearance for United was handed to him by former interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who introduced him from the bench as a late substitute in a 1-1 draw with Young Boys at Old Trafford in December 2021.