Former Man Utd prospect blames ‘disrespectful’ manager for Old Trafford exit | Football

A former rising star at Manchester United says his 2023 exit from the club was on account of feeling disrespected by then manager Erik ten Hag.

The 22-year-old is now playing for Dutch side Utrecht, playing 18 times within the Eredivisie last season because the club finished fourth within the table.

The midfielder made only one appearances within the Red Devils senior team, coming off the bench against Young Boys within the Champions League in December 2021.

That appearance got here under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, nevertheless it was under Ten Hag that he became frustrated together with his lack of opportunities at Old Trafford.

The Iraq international says that there was a turning point when he was told he can be playing in a match but turned up and that plan had modified, feeling an absence of respect from management consequently.

Iqbal told The National: ‘I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to indicate myself and it really frustrated me that the gaffer didn’t appear to rate me enough to offer me a probability to indicate if I could sink or swim.

‘I spoke to my dad and agent and said: “I can’t do that for an additional 12 months”. From the surface, it looked amazing to all my friends because I used to be training and travelling with United’s first team. For me, it was mentally tough because I used to be just training and never allowed to play with the under-23s. I assumed to myself, “I’m similar to a number”.

‘I used to be purported to start a cup game against Charlton Athletic from League One. I used to be in all of the shapes and patterns in pre-match training. I used to be starting as a ten and Lisandro Martinez got here as much as me and said: “Now’s your probability”. He talked to me and said, “all of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you’re a superb player. We’re going to fight for you, be certain that you’re able to fight”. It motivated me and it was nice from him, an aggressive leader within the team, a giant player. I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my probability.

‘Then I got to the stadium, checked out the whiteboard and didn’t see my name. I used to be gutted. Then I assumed I’d come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn’t feel the manager respected me enough to play me.’

It was clearly a difficult decision for Manchester-born Iqbal to depart Manchester United, despite his frustrations, as illustrated by the emotional message he penned when he departed.

‘Manchester United has been my home since I used to be five years old,’ he wrote in 2023. ‘Alongside my family, this club has developed me into the individual that I’m today.

‘From the Cliff to Carrington after which to the Theatre Of Dreams, I even have so many incredible memories of my 15 years related to this amazing club.

‘I even have had the chance to play with so many team-mates, that I’ll now all the time call friends, and worked with coaches who all the time supported me in so many alternative ways.

‘There are too many individuals to thank. Kitmen, physios, teachers, chefs, nutritionists, security staff, coaches and everybody else in between, they’ve all played their role in making me the player that I’m today. They know who they’re and know the way much they mean to me and my family. We’ll be endlessly grateful.

‘The Academy is a special place that makes dreams come true for thus many. That was actually the case for me. I’ll always remember standing on the touchline at Theatre Of Dreams, waiting to come back on for my debut. That feeling of pride will live with me endlessly.

‘Representing Manchester United in Europe is one in every of the largest honours you may have in your profession. People don’t realise the quantity of labor and dedication that goes into achieving a debut and living out your dream.

‘The fans were amazing with me that day. You’ve all the time given such love and support to myself and my family. Trust me, it didn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated. I’ll all the time be a United fan and I’ll all the time love this football club.

‘The time is true to go and tackle a brand new challenge. It’s one which I cannot wait for and I’ll be applying myself with the identical level of desire, determination and dedication that has taken me this far in my profession.’

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