Why exciting talent has played just six minutes all season since leaving Manchester United

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The injury curse afflicting everyone and anyone connected with Manchester United, it seems, is not merely limited to those currently at Erik ten Hag’s disposal.

Zidane Iqbal, after making his belated FC Utrecht debut off the bench last week, could have been forgiven for hoping he had turned a corner. That was, however, until Twente coach Ron Jans confirmed that the summer signing would be missing from the matchday squad entirely for the third time in six Eredivisie outings ahead of Sunday’s 3-0 hammering at NEC Nijmegen, via NOS.

In fact, since leaving Manchester United for a fee just shy of £1 million in June, the highly-rated central midfielder has played just six of a possible 540 minutes in the Dutch top flight.

Iqbal took to Twitter earlier this month to dispel claims that he was struggling to force his way into the Twente side – he has, he pointed out, ‘been injured since the back end of last season’ – but this is certainly not the start to life he’d have been hoping for in his new Netherlands home.

Zidane Iqbal struggling after Manchester United exit

“Zidane is a very creative midfielder, with a very good understanding of the game,” Utrecht director Jordy Zuidam said after completing a deal for a 20-year-old who caught the eye during Erik ten Hag’s first summer at Old Trafford back in 2022.

So much so that news of his departure elicited a less-than rosy reaction among some sections of the United fanbase.

“(Iqbal) can intercept balls, uses his body well in duels and is intelligent. In addition, he can be at the beginning of an attack, thanks to his good short and long pass. Zidane plays with guts and has a high speed of action.

“With his dribbling 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.”

‘Wants to take the next step’

If Iqbal is to build on all the promise he showed at Carrington, and benefit from the opportunity of regular first-team football, then the treatment table cannot be left behind soon enough.