Extra training and a trailblazing role model - How Zidane Iqbal is repaying Ten Hag faith at Man United

For some players, the international break can be a blessing. It allows those out of favour to go away with their national side and get some minutes under their belts, an opportunity to regain confidence as well as send a message to their club manager.

Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal is doing the opposite as he looks to catch the eye of Erik ten Hag and earn his first appearance of the season.

The 19-year-old was the breakout star of United's summer tour thanks to a string of stellar performances that propelled him from academy hopeful to the edge of the first-team frame.

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Iqbal got 154 minutes of football under his belt in the summer, more than Aaron Wan-Bissaka did, and impressed so much that Ten Hag made it clear he wanted to keep him at the club this season and oversee his development personally rather than send him out on loan.

The talented teenager had been attracting interest from a number of Championship clubs, but with his stock on the rise, it was decided he would benefit most from continuing to train in an elite environment and learn from leading midfielders on a daily basis.

It can only be a good thing for Iqbal to work alongside the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, but it is also crucial he gets more meaningful minutes this season in order to build upon the positive momentum behind him.

In order to do that, the teenager has taken a risk. Iqbal was set to be named in the senior Iraq squad for the upcoming Jordan International Tournament this week, but rejected the call-up in order to focus on his development at United.

Rather than jet off to Jordan to face Oman in a semi-final, Iqbal will instead remain at Carrington,