United academy graduate let go by Ten Hag playing a key role for Dutch underdogs chasing historic CL berth

Zidane Iqbal never managed to break through at Old Trafford, but a year and half on from leaving Manchester United he is now a key part of an FC Utrecht team pushing for Champions League football for the first time in the club’s history.

The 21-year-old finds himself embroiled in a thrilling run-in at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie, where Utrecht are one of three sides level on points battling for a third-place finish, which would mean access to Champions League football for next season.

Earlier this season his side were even talked of as outsiders in a title race, however Ajax and PSV Eindhoven – against whom Iqbal was withdrawn with an injury in a 2-2 draw earlier this month – have now pulled away.

The Iraq international will be desperate for the knock to be a minor one, having had his time in the Netherlands repeatedly disrupted by time in the treatment room.

Last season he managed 20 appearances, mostly cameos from the bench as he was limited by his fitness in a slow start to his post-United career.

But this campaign has been much more successful for the player, who is now a regular starter in the heart of the midfield at the Stadion Galgenwaard.

He is already up to 16 appearances, and has been a starter for all but one of them as he grows into the potential that had him turning heads in United’s 2022 pre-season.

Playing mostly as a defensive midfielder, the youngster has impressed with his passing, and scored the first senior goal of his career in a 3-1 win at Almere City.

Earlier this month, Iqbal responded, “I leave that to God,” when asked about the possibility of returning to United, who reportedly have a buy-back option.

He only featured once for United, coming off the bench in the 89th minute in a Champions League match against Young Boys, but it was a moment which went down in the history books.

The Manchester-born Iraqi became the first British South Asian footballer to play for the club, and to play in the Champions League. Soon after, Erik ten Hag arrived and moved him on.

Whether he will make it back to that famous competition remains to be seen, with Utrecht going head to head with AZ Alkmaar, Feyenoord – who have just appointed Robin van Persie as their new manager – and FC Twente.

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social