Former Manchester United academy star Zidane Iqbal finds himself in professional turmoil after being relegated to the reserves at his current club, FC Utrecht, following a training ground dispute.
Training Dedication Concerns
The 22-year-old midfielder has been demoted to Jong FC Utrecht as direct punishment for what manager Ron Jans perceived as insufficient dedication during training sessions before the international break. Iqbal will consequently miss Utrecht's crucial Europa League fixture against Real Betis, highlighting the seriousness with which the club views the matter.
According to Dutch media reports, Jans remains unconvinced about the player's determination and commitment levels. This development represents a significant setback for the Manchester-born footballer, who joined Utrecht from United in summer 2023 for a transfer fee of approximately £1 million.
International Duties and Club Struggles
During the recent international break, Iqbal earned his 22nd cap for Iraq, making two appearances against the United Arab Emirates as his nation progressed in World Cup qualifying. However, his international commitments appear to have created friction with his club responsibilities.
This season, the midfielder has managed five Eredivisie appearances and two Europa League outings, failing to secure a regular starting position under Jans. The demotion suggests his standing within the squad has deteriorated further.
Manchester United Background
Iqbal spent an impressive 11 years within Manchester United's youth system, making history by becoming the first British South Asian to represent the club at senior level. His first-team debut came in December 2021 during a Champions League match against Young Boys under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
However, his progression stalled significantly under current United boss Erik ten Hag. The Dutch manager was once filmed delivering a foul-mouthed outburst directed at Iqbal during a training session, screaming: "Keep the ball on the floor... Zidane! Hey! Keep the ball! F***ing rubbish!"
Reflecting on his time at Old Trafford, Iqbal previously expressed frustration about his limited opportunities. "I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to show myself," he told The National. "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."
During his debut season with Utrecht, Iqbal made 18 appearances across all competitions, following up with 17 Eredivisie outings in his first campaign. His current demotion indicates he faces substantial work to regain his manager's trust and reestablish himself within the first-team setup.
