Manchester United fans want Erik ten Hag to give Zidane Iqbal more playing time

Manchester United supporters have urged manager Erik ten Hag to give international star Zidane Iqbal a chance in the first team.

Iqbal, 19, played 90 minutes as Iraq lost 2-0 to Russia in a friendly on Sunday at the Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg.

It was only the teenager’s third appearance for his country, but he showed maturity beyond his years with an all-action performance.

He has only made one senior appearance for United, coming on in the 89th minute of a Champions League dead-rubber match against Swiss side Young Boys in December 2021.

However, following his midfield masterclass against Russia, fans quickly took to social media to urge Red Devils manager Ten Hag to give Iqbal more game time.

The video shows him recovering the ball in midfield with a strong challenge, then beating three opponents and sending a beautifully weighted through ball over the top to a teammate.

‘We are actually wasting his talent,’ one said.

‘I don’t know why Ten Hag doesn’t put him in the squad,’ said another. For me, he’s better than 17-year-old midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.’

‘Ten Hag is blind to his talent,’ said another.

‘I still don’t understand why ETH hasn’t given this kid a chance, what a talent,’ one continued.

A fifth tweeted, ‘And he is doing this while fasting,’ referring to Ramadan.

‘Zidane Iqbal toying with the other team,’ said the United fan account that posted the video, along with an ice-cold emoji.