Zidane Iqbal has said he is determined to seize any chance Erik ten Hag gives him at Manchester United after impressing on the club’s pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia.
The 19-year-old, who featured in the second half of last week’s 4-0 victory over Liverpool and the 4-1 win against Melbourne Victory, believes this may be his only chance to make his mark and admits he would weigh up the “pros and cons” of a loan move for the 2022-23 season.
Iqbal, who has played twice for Iraq, made his debut as a late replacement in last December’s Champions League draw with Young Boys and, when asked about his desire and style of play, he said: “I have told myself: ‘This could be the only chance I get in the first team’.
“It has been part of my game since I was young, always wanting the ball. I just do what I do and whatever is meant to be will be. I will have no regrets. I will just try to do my best on the pitch and leave it up to God really. I would like to thank the fans for showing me all the love and support recently. It is an amazing feeling. Thank you.
“I have grown up loving this club. I have played here since I was eight or nine. To play in front of 90,000 people [in Bangkok]. It is something I dreamed of. To play against Victory and against Liverpool, even in the Champions League. It is hard to describe. [But] if an opportunity came up to go out on loan, I would weigh up the pros and cons. Right now it is too early to say. See what the future holds.”
Iqbal is enjoying the two-week trip. “There is definitely a good vibe around the team,” he said. “It is a new manager, early doors, but the ideas he has given us, two good results, everyone is happy in training. Everyone is giving 100% which is the best kind of atmosphere.”
Iqbal is not concerned about greater scrutiny owing to his heritage. “Obviously there are not many south Asians playing [he has a Pakistani father and an Iraqi mother] but if you are good enough, I believe you will make it no matter where you come from. I don’t pay too much attention to it. But, yes, there are a lot more people watching what I do because they can … not relate, but kind of [have an interest].
“I am just trying to take my journey on. Whatever is meant to be. I will always give 100% in training and matches. If I am inspiring people along the way, that is brilliant.”
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw believes that United have already improved under Ten Hag. “Especially in training, it’s definitely a big improvement,” the left-back said. “And even in the games, I think you could see things that probably you haven’t seen before, so I think there are things to look forward to.
“The manager knows what the team needs and he has his own style and how he wants to manage … all the players have really taken it on board and they’re really enjoying it. He is very hands-on and he takes a lot of the sessions. He’s involved a lot and if he sees people aren’t hitting the standards that he wants in training he’ll make sure they know. That’s good because he keeps the standards high.”
