The name is Zidane, but not Zinedine
There is already talk about United's Zidane
saturday night Thousands of Manchester United fans flock to Melbourne's Federation Square. The club's new 'away' jersey will be unveiled. The main team stars like Bruno Fernandez, Marcus Rashford have not yet come to the stage. Perhaps the host of the program was throwing some questions in the air to the audience without letting the excitement of the audience subside. One of them was, 'Which player have you been most impressed with on the tour (United's pre-season tour) so far?'
'Bruno' is the most common answer. "Sancho" was also heard in many people's voices. One of the fans shouted, "Zidaan"!
French legend who won the World Cup? No! The fan yelled at Zidane Iqbal. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has been one of the most eye-catching players on United's two-and-a-half-week tour of Thailand and Australia.
The fact that Zidane Iqbal has already won over the fans has been proven before. Following United's 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Friday, the club's fans were asked to vote for their man of the match. Zidan Iqbal won 25 percent of the vote! A total of 21 players were rotated in the match, a fact that probably adds something to it.
His most eye-catching moment in the match that day came in the 12th minute of the second half. A Melbourne player jumped out of the way and turned 360 degrees on the ball, cutting another player on the way. The eye-popping moment sent 74,000 fans into a frenzy at the MCG.
However, what impressed United coach Eric ten Haag more than that is Iqbal's ability to keep possession of the ball. The young midfielder does not lose control of the ball easily. Iqbal's synergy with (former Welsh midfielder) Robbie Savage's son Charlie Savage has also been seen. The two have played together ever since Iqbal joined Man United's academy at the age of nine after leaving Sale United.
After shining through the academy, he also got a chance to play in United's first team. Iqbal responded by saying, "It's the happiest feeling to play for United." I grew up loving this club. To be able to play for that club in front of so many people is a dream come true. I was saying to myself, "It may be that I will have the opportunity to play only in this one match for the main team." So I will try to give my best on the field, the rest is in the hands of the creator.
In terms of religious beliefs, Iqbal's father, a follower of Islam, is Pakistani, while his mother is from Iraq. He came to football after watching his father play five-a-side football. Born in England, it was a chance to play for England. But Iqbal chose Iraq. He also made his debut in Iraq's jersey against Iran last January. You may be surprised to know that, despite the similarity in name and place of play, Zinedine Zidane is not Iqbal's ideal, Mesut Ozil is.
However, Iqbal made his competitive debut in United's jersey last season. Iqbal was brought off as a second-half substitute by then United coach Ralf Rangnick in a meaningless Champions League group stage match against Swiss club Young Boys. It also made a record. According to his father, Pakistani-born Iqbal is the first British South Asian to play in the Champions League!
What else does it take for Iqbal to become the 'poster boy' of the South Asian community in the UK! Although Iqbal is not much interested in these. "I only think about my own path. What will happen next will happen. If I can inspire someone along the way, then great. Not many South Asians get to play at the highest level here. But I think if you're fit to play at the highest level, it doesn't matter where you come from. I don't even pay much attention to these things' — replies Nirlipta Iqbal.
Ten Haag is also impressed with Iqbal's game. During a training session in Bangkok last week, Iqbal bent his body with a shrug of the shoulder and threw the ball at the club's Brazilian midfielder Fred. However, he is talking about the practice session, how many opportunities will Iqbal have in the main team regularly? Will it happen at all? less likely. Ten Haag had Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Donnie von de Beek in United's midfield; Christian Eriksen also joined. Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona is also rumored to join. In that case, Ten Haug might send Iqbal on loan to another club to ensure regular games.
Iqbal, who has a contract with United until 2025, also has that mental preparation, 'I can't say what will happen. If there is an opportunity to go to a club on loan, I will consider both the pros and cons. There is nothing to talk about at the moment.
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