Zidane Iqbal is finally nearing a full Eredivisie debut five months after leaving Premier League giants Manchester United after an injury-hit start to life at FC Utrecht.
It is testament to just how highly the young midfielder was regarded among some sections of the Red Devils support that news of his departure, back in June, was greeted with such disappointment.
Since moving to the Netherlands, however, Zidane Iqbal has not had many chances to prove Manchester United wrong, the 20-year-old Iraq international limited to only six minutes of football due to injury.
Zidane Iqbal struggling after Manchester United exit
His one and only Eredivisie appearance for Erik ten Hag’s former employers FC Utrecht came all the way back in September.
There does, at least, appear to be a ray of light at the end of a dark and winding tunnel, the Algemeen Dagblad reporting that Iqbal stepped up his long-awaited return to action by featuring in a practice match against PEC Zwolle this week.
Sunday’s trip to Sparta Rotterdam may come too soon. But a long-awaited full Eredivisie debut appears to be on the cards once again ahead of the Christmas break.
Nearing full Eredivisie debut at last
“Zidane is a very creative midfielder, with a very good understanding of the game,” Utrecht technical director Jordy Zuidam said after striking a £1 million deal for a Manchester-born player who caught the eye during Ten Hag’s first pre-season in charge of the Red Devils back in 2021 (talkSPORT).
“He can intercept balls, uses his body well in duels and is intelligent. In addition, he can be at the start of an attack, thanks to his good short and long pass. Zidane plays with guts and has a high speed of action.”
“With his dribbles and passing, he is able to speed up the game. We are very proud that Zidane wants to take the next step in his development at FC Utrecht.”
Putting those injury issues behind him, Iqbal will return to action even more determined to take that ’next step’ forward.
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