Erik ten Hag desperately wanted Frenkie de Jong to join Manchester United in 2022, and during that pre-season, he unearthed a similar player.
Manchester United’s midfield is currently in a bad situation, with an overhaul needed next summer. However, this wouldn’t have been the case if Frenkie de Jong had arrived.
De Jong had what it takes to shine in Premier League competition; however, he ultimately never arrived due to the well-documented issues around his wages at Barcelona.
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In the summer, which saw these attempts fail, Ten Hag turned to the academy during pre-season, with Zidane Iqbal stepping up and looking like a De Jong solution.
However, the academy graduate never got a real chance. He now has the chance to put himself in the history books for his country.
Zidane Iqbal playing for Utrecht.
Photo by Marcel van Hoorn/Soccrates /Getty Images
Zidane Iqbal could be about to take Iraq to the World Cup
Iqbal was once one of United’s hottest prospects, and Ten Hag agreed, giving the Iraqi youngster a chance in his first summer at the club.
Now, Iqbal is a star for Utrecht in the Netherlands and also for the Iraqi national team.
Iraq hasn’t reached the World Cup since 1986, but by beating Saudi Arabia in the next game, Iqbal could send his nation to the world stage in America next summer, the first time in 40 years.
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Iqbal is Iraq’s main man, and he was back among the goals against Indonesia at the weekend, so if they are to qualify, it will be the former United man who stars.
Zidane Iqbal is the one who got away at Manchester United
While he has not gone on to reach insane heights away from United, there is no argument that Iqbal deserved to be given a chance under Ten Hag during the 2022/23 season.
Iqbal admitted it was difficult for him at United, mentally, as he struggled to cope with the lack of opportunities given to him after he earned himself plenty of praise during pre-season.
During that summer, Iqbal looked like he could be United’s answer to De Jong, including his performances against the likes of Liverpool, which sold everyone false dreams.
If Ten Hag had backed Iqbal that season, there is no telling how he would have ended up, but now, he will have all focus on Iraq and qualifying for the World Cup.