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Man Utd wonderkid Zidane Iqbal, 19, impressed aged 3, was subbed for being too good and could play for England

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ZIDANE IQBAL is the new name on Manchester United fans’ lips.

The talented attacking midfielder, 19, was superb against Liverpool in a preseason friendly in Thailand this week and shone again against Melbourne Victory.

Zidane Iqbal made his first-team debut for Man Utd after coming off the bench against Young BoysCredit: Getty
Zidane Iqbal signed his first professional contract at Man Utd, aged 17 and made his debut in December 2021Credit: Twitter @z10ane
Iqbal has starred for Man Utd’s academy set-up and is destined for a spot in the senior squadCredit: Getty

It followed his first-team debut in a 1-1 draw against Young Boys in the Champions League, where he starred alongside Robbie Savage’s son Charlie.

With a name like ‘Zidane’, the Iraqi Under-23s international always had massive boots to fill.

And in becoming the first-ever player of South Asian descent to pull on the red of Man Utd, he’s well on his way to becoming a superstar.

Iqbal replaced Jesse Lingard for the final few moments of the draw at Old Trafford – and could be ready to fill his shoes now he’s left the club.

He joined the likes of Savage, Shola Shoretire, Teden Mengi and Anthony Elanga in playing the final Champions League group game in 2021.

And while Iqbal had precious little time to make an impact, he appears destined for a bright future having been handed his first-team debut under new boss Ralf Rangnick.

Manchester-born Iqbal joined United in 2012 – at the age of just nine – and is eligible to play for England despite having already featured for Iraq’s youth teams.

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The attacking midfielder previously represented Sale United as a kid.

And his former coach hailed his ‘great attitude’ as he targets a future at the Premier League giants.

But it wasn’t only his attitude, Iqbal was described as being ‘unfairly good’ – and was even subbed off or stuck in goal to give opponents a chance.

Earlier this year, Iqbal’s old coach Stewart Hamer told MEN: “He had a great attitude, he was always willing to learn and he played with a big smile on his face.

“He was quite happy to do whatever we challenged him to do.

“Everyone took their part in being a goalkeeper, for example, and he’d take his part in the net just like everyone else.”

Zidane Iqbal made his Man Utd first-team debut when he came off the bench against Young BoysCredit: Getty

Hamer continued: “We had quite a bit of success if you can call it that at that stage, and Zidane was at the heart of that.

“There were times when we would play six-a-side competitions and he would be basically ripping it up.

“We would take him off and substitute him because it wasn’t fair to the other side.

“Or sometimes we’d put him in goal so he wasn’t causing the danger.”

⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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