Manchester Evening News journalist, Samuel Luckhurst has tweeted this morning that Manchester United are deliberating whether to send out talented youngster Zidane Iqbal on loan during the January transfer window.
✅ United are believed to be reluctant to let Iqbal leave on loan as they lack depth in a midfield that is devoid of a youthful presence. @samuelluckhurst #MUFC 🔴
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) December 2, 2022
United are weighing up their options because according to the MEN the club are “believed to be reluctant to let Iqbal leave on loan as they lack depth in midfield that is devoid of a youthful presence” [Manchester Evening News]. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro will both celebrate their 31st birthday in February and Fred will turn 30 next year in March.
Iqbal, who has come through the youth ranks at United made his competitive bow under Ralf Rangnick in the Champions League, when he came off the bench during United’s 1-1 draw with Young Boys in December last year.
The 19-year-old has caught the eye of United manager Erik ten Hag and he has been on the substitute bench in both the Premier League and Europa League, which suggests that ten Hag believes in the youngster [Transfermarkt.com].
There is no doubting that ten Hag believes in the Iraq international as he has been training with the first team this season, which has limited his ability to play for the under-21s more frequently.
Zidane Iqbal in training today ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/gkIzoGnYXl
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) September 28, 2022
However, despite that, he has still featured for United in the Papa John’s Trophy, which consists of teams, such as Carlisle and Barrow, who are playing senior men’s football in League Two. Playing against players that are physically more robust than those at academy level, will benefit Iqbal in the long-term because he will have a better understanding of the demands of senior football.
Zidane Iqbal in action for #mufc U21s this evening 📸 pic.twitter.com/EeK1fKEFe1
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) August 30, 2022
Even though he has not made a single appearance for the first team this season, it is beneficial that Iqbal is training with the first team, which allows him to see the standards that are required of a Manchester United player.
The MEN are reporting that the staff at Man United think that it is best for Iqbal’s development that he spends the remainder of the season training with the first team and then embarking on a loan spell away from Old Trafford [Manchester Evening News].
