Exclusive: Man Utd midfielder expected to leave the club this summer

Manchester United midfielder Zidane Iqbal is expected to leave the club this summer, ManchesterWorld understands.

The 20-year-old has struggled for game time under Erik ten Hag, despite playing in five of the Red Devils’ six pre-season matches last year. Iqbal was expected to push on and play a minor role in the first-team set-up in 2022/23, but didn’t make a single senior appearance throughout the campaign.

The United youth product was an unused substitute in 17 matches and, despite largely training with the first team, became an increasingly prominent figure in the Under-21 side as the season progressed, playing 13 times in total.

As a result, Iqbal sees his immediate future away from United and the club are willing to allow him to leave this summer, sources have told ManchesterWorld. A departure on loan looks the most likely outcome, although a permanent exit cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Iqbal, like many of United’s young midfielders, has found it increasingly difficult to compete for a spot in the squad with the likes of Casemiro, Fred, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek, Bruno Fernandes and Marcel Sabizter providing senior options for Ten Hag in his first campaign in charge.

The highly rated Kobbie Mainoo made just three appearances for the first team last season, while Charlie Savage, Hannibal and Ethan Galbraith were sent out on loan, with the latter since departing.

Ten Hag’s decision to keep Iqbal at Old Trafford in January was partly an indication of how well regarded he is at the club, and also due to the dire injury situation United’s midfielders suffered in January as McTominay, Eriksen and Van de Beek all picked up problems.

Iqbal, who was born in Manchester, has already earned three caps for Iraq, his mother’s native country. The youngster has made one senior appearance for United when he came on in the latter stages of a Champions League game against Young Boys in December 2021.

Elsewhere, United are expected to add midfield options in the summer and it was reported by TalkSport on Wednesday that an initial offer of £40m has been rejected by Chelsea for Mason Mount.