Zidane Iqbal's parting comment might be perfect transfer advice for former Manchester United teammate

Zidane Iqbal was close to joining FC Utrecht on loan in January before the move fell through.

He says even he does not know the reason why, but is glad to be finally in the Netherlands and is set to build on his singular minute of senior football at age 20. He leaves United with more Iraq caps (three) than Reds senior outings (one, his debut in December 2021).

Alejandro Garnacho is now the 'starboy' of Old Trafford but last summer it looked as though Iqbal would attain that title. His slick midfield appearances on the pre-season tour caught the eye, and he won a penalty against Cadiz during the mid-season break in Spain.

He joined first-team training for the whole of last season, which will have been an invaluable experience. But he may have felt a punch in the gut seeing Kobbie Mainoo, then 17, earn his first senior start before him during January's League Cup win over Charlton, even if in a different role to his.

ALSO READ: Why Manchester United have decided to sell Zidane Iqbal

Perhaps his near-move across the North Sea partially explains his lack of look-in but there’s no doubt that Iqbal would have ended the season feeling that a change was needed. For all the players that have flown to Manchester from the Netherlands under Ten Hag, he is the first one to go the other way.

Ten Hag had spoken to Iqbal about what FC Utrecht, his former club, could offer him and after conversing with club staff, the youngster was sold on the move. The United boss may have to do similar with another player this summer.

Anthony Elanga seems destined for an exit, and United are keen to make it permanent. They have halved his asking price to £10m and are waiting to see if there are any takers.

Elanga is another academy product who has a