Former Manchester United wonderkid Angel Gomes has urged Red Devils youngster Zidane Iqbal, who he labels a “joy to watch”, to “keep pushing”.
The 19-year-old is yet to make a competitive appearance under Erik ten Hag, but he did feature during Tour 22 and started both of last month’s winter friendlies against La Liga sides Cadiz and Real Betis.
Having made just three Premier League 2 appearances for the club’s under-21s side prior to the new year, the two-time Iraq international has started three of Mark Dempsey side’s last four league games.
With United’s number 55 featuring more prominently for the under-21s currently, it does look like that fellow teenager Kobbie Mainoo has jumped ahead of Iqbal in United’s midfield pecking order under Ten Hag.
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Angel Gomes sends motivational message to Zidane Iqbal
Iqbal’s only first team appearance for the Red Devils came as substitute in the dying stages of a Champions League group stage dead rubber against Young Boys, when Ralf Rangnick was in interim charge, in December 2021.
Gomes, who was one of the most exciting talents to come through the Manchester United Academy, has urged Iqbal to “keep pushing”.
The England Under-21 international, who opted against signing a new contract with the Red Devils and instead signed for Ligue 1 giants Lille in August 2020, sent a tweet to Iqbal in response to the midfielder’s highlights in his last appearance, which came against Blackburn Rovers’ Under-21s.
Iqbal provided an assist for Omari Forson who opened the scoring in Friday night’s 2-1 win against Rovers.
According to 90min, Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are among a number of Championship sides interested in signing Iqbal on loan for the rest of the season.
But with Ten Hag sweating on the fitness of Christian Eriksen, after the Danish playmaker was seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches , after being on the receiving end of a hefty blow from Andy Carroll during last night’s 3-1 win against Reading, any potential loan move for Iqbal will likely have to wait until the summer.
With Donny van de Beek out for the long-term and Scott McTominay missing the win against the Royals, Ten Hag will probably want Iqbal to stay to provide first team cover.
Iqbal is on the periphery of the United first team, but he has received high praise from former United starlet Gomes.
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