Erik ten Hag has sent Manchester United youngsters a ruthless reminder

Manchester United's illustrious youth academy might form a strong pillar of the club's identity, but that does not mean Erik ten Hag is going to give youngsters a chance just to keep up the brand image.

One of the key reasons why United appointed the Dutchman a year ago was due to his proven track record of nurturing top young talent, something he has already started doing at United.

Charlie McNeill and Kobbie Mainoo were both given first-team debuts last season, while Alejandro Garnacho made the transition from academy hopeful to a permanent senior squad member.

United fans are already excited to see just how far those three players could go under the guidance of Ten Hag, and there is already speculation about who the next youngster to gain a promotion might be.

Read next: What United target Mount did five years ago convinced Ten Hag

One thing is for sure: it won't be Zidane Iqbal.

It was less than a year ago that the 20-year-old signed a new long-term contract with United and went on to be a breakout star on their summer tour.

His performances in those first few matches looked set to assure him of a successful time with his boyhood club, yet he would never make a competitive appearance under Ten Hag and is now on the verge of a permanent exit.

United have accepted an offer, believed to be around €1million, from FC Utrecht for Iqbal. It is a small fee, but one they feel reflects his current value, and the club stands to make even more money having insisted on a significant future sell-on clause.

Many supporters were shocked to hear of the deal, nevermind the amount of money he was going for, and there is an undeniable sense of missed opportunity given he didn't play at all last season.

However, it is a brutal reminder