The last five Manchester United players moved to Eredivisie clubs, with Zidane Iqbal exit confirmed

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Zidane Iqbal has been sold to Dutch side FC Utrecht, with the Iraq international leaving Manchester United in pursuit of regular first team football.

United confirmed the move, with Utrecht technical director Jordy Zuidam commenting that he is excited to have secured Iqbal’s signature.

It is not very often Manchester United players leave for the Eredivisie. Amad came close on loan in 2021 before an injury scuppered his move to Feyenoord.

Here is a look at the last five players to leave Old Trafford for the Netherlands…

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24

Joel Pereira: RKC Waalwijk (2021)

Back-up goalkeeper Joel Pereira was tipped by former manager Jose Mourinho as a future star at Manchester United.

However, after a series of unimpressive loan spells, the Portugal under-21 international fell further down the pecking order.

He was released in 2021 and ended up signing with RKC Waalwijk. He started off as their number one, before suffering an injury early into the season.

Pereira, 26, is now back to being a back-up goalkeeper, making only two Eredivisie appearances last season.

Daley Blind: Ajax (2018)

Daley Blind was a player Manchester United should never have let go. But Jose Mourinho did not rate him as highly as Louis van Gaal did, and eventually chose to sell him.

Blind went on to star for Ajax, under Erik ten Hag, playing a key role in their run to the Champions League semi-final in 2019.

The Netherlands international is now 33, and set to become a free agent, having left Ajax for a short-term deal at Bayern Munich mid-season.

Marnick Vermijl: NEC (2013)

Manchester United sent promising right-back Marnick Vermijl on loan to NEC in the 2013/14 season.

He played 33 games for the club, scoring four goals, before being sold to Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.

Vermijl’s career has not hit the heights he hoped for. He is now playing in the Belgian third division.

Chris Eagles and David Jones: NEC (2006)

Manchester United sent Chris Eagles and David Jones to Dutch side NEC on loan in 2006/07, hoping it would propel their careers.

Eagles scored twice in 17 games, while Jones scored six goals in the same number of appearances.

Upon their return, neither player could quite break through into one of the most talented Manchester United teams of all time, even though Eagles went onto score in a title-clinching win away at Everton in 2007.

He went onto have a solid career, playing in the Premier League with Bolton and Burnley and is now retired.

Jones also featured in the top flight for Burnley, Wolves, Wigan and Derby, and is now a coach at Wrexham, also occasionally appearing as a pundit on MUTV.