‘He Didn’t Respect Me’ – Zidane Iqbal Slams Erik Ten Hag for Broken Promises Before Manchester United Exit

Zidane Iqbal’s Frustration Boils Over After Manchester United Snub

In a candid and emotionally charged reflection, former Manchester United wonderkid Zidane Iqbal has publicly criticized former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag, claiming broken promises and a lack of respect ultimately pushed him to the exit door at Old Trafford. Now plying his trade at FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie, Zidane Iqbal is opening up about what he calls one of the most mentally taxing periods of his footballing journey.

A Childhood Dream Turned Sour

Iraq v Vietnam: Group D – AFC Asian Cup

Zidane Iqbal spent over a decade at Manchester United, having joined the club at the tender age of nine. For years, he was seen as a beacon of hope within the academy, tipped to become one of the few to successfully transition from Carrington’s youth ranks to the senior squad. That transition, however, never materialized. Instead, Zidane Iqbal made just one senior appearance for the Red Devils—an 89th-minute cameo against Young Boys in the UEFA Champions League back in 2021.

Despite training regularly with the first team and being present on numerous matchday squads, the minutes never came. In an interview with The National, the 22-year-old Iraq international revealed how his relationship with Ten Hag deteriorated as hopes of a breakthrough dwindled.

The Charlton Athletic Disappointment

Iqbal’s breaking point came in January 2023, ahead of a Carabao Cup tie against Charlton Athletic. According to the midfielder, he had been led to believe he would start the match. He was placed in tactical drills, integrated into first-team plans during pre-match sessions, and even received emotional support from senior teammates.

“I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton Athletic from League One,” he recalled. “I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training. I was starting as a 10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: ‘Now’s your chance’. He talked to me and said, ‘All of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you’re a good player. We’re going to fight for you, make sure you’re ready to fight’.”

The show of faith from Martinez gave Zidane Iqbal renewed motivation. “I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance.”

But his excitement was short-lived. Upon arrival at the stadium, Zidane Iqbal looked at the dressing room whiteboard and was stunned to find his name missing from the starting XI—and the substitutes.

“I was gutted,” he admitted. “Then I thought 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.”

Mentally Exhausting

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From the outside looking in, it may have seemed like Zidane Iqbal was living the dream—training with the Manchester United first team, traveling to games, soaking in the elite footballing atmosphere. But the reality was quite different.

“It was mentally tough,” he said. “I was just training and not allowed to play with the Under-23s. I thought to myself, ‘I’m just like a number’.”

Feeling as though he was stuck in limbo, Zidane Iqbal sought advice from those closest to him. “I spoke to my dad and agent and said: ‘I can’t do this for another year’.”

Life After United

Since his departure from Old Trafford in the summer of 2023, Zidane Iqbal has found stability—and opportunity—at FC Utrecht. He made 18 appearances for the Dutch side during the 2024–25 Eredivisie campaign, scoring one goal and helping the team secure a fourth-place finish and a spot in the Europa League second qualifying round.

Under Utrecht’s project, the Iraq international is being given the minutes he craved in Manchester. The move has allowed him to grow not just as a player but also as a person, gaining the maturity that often only comes with regular first-team action.

Erik Ten Hag’s Own Turning Point

While Zidane Iqbal has begun to flourish in the Netherlands, Erik ten Hag’s tenure at United also came to an end. He was sacked in October 2024 after a disappointing start to the campaign. Interestingly, Ten Hag has since resurfaced in Germany, where he replaced Xabi Alonso as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen.

The Dutchman’s time in Manchester will be remembered as a rollercoaster—marked by a Carabao Cup win, controversial team selections, and ultimately, unmet expectations. Leverkusen have already seen key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong depart for Liverpool, meaning Ten Hag will be facing another rebuild in a different setting.

What’s Next for Zidane Iqbal?

For Zidane Iqbal, the future now appears far brighter than it did during his final days at Old Trafford. The midfielder is firmly embedded in Utrecht’s plans and will play European football next season. His ability to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of his time at United and still emerge with the ambition to push forward speaks volumes about his character.

And as for the fans who always believed in him, there’s no bitterness in Zidane Iqbal’s words—just honesty. “I just wanted 10 minutes off a bench to show myself,” he said. “It really frustrated me that the gaffer didn’t seem to rate me enough.”

Perhaps now, given time and the right platform, Zidane Iqbal will prove what he never got the chance to show in red: that he can indeed swim—and swim well—in the deep end.