Ahead of Kaizer Chiefs’ next pre-season fixture against FC Utrecht, one of the Dutch club’s rising stars has opened up on why he left Manchester United.
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Amakhosi suffered a 2-1 defeat to Vitesse earlier this week in their opening pre-season match, and things are set to get even tougher when they face Eredivisie outfit Utrecht on Friday. The Dutch side finished fourth in the top flight last season and boast a number of quality players—one of whom is former United midfielder Zidane Iqbal.
The Manchester-born Iraqi international made just a single senior appearance for the Red Devils before departing for Utrecht in 2023. Since joining Domstedelingen, Iqbal has featured 40 times, and ahead of the clash with Chiefs, he has explained what ultimately led to his departure from Old Trafford.
“The manager [Ten Hag] listened and then told me he didn’t want me to go to the tournament,” Iqbal told The National.
“He said it was the end of the season; we had injuries and needed training numbers, too. He told me to stay patient. So I did. I was sure I’d play some minutes and become the first Iraqi player in the Premier League.
“It didn’t happen, not even in the last games when there was little to play for. My best friend, Ali Al Hamadi of Ipswich, became the first Iraqi player, so I’m happy it’s him.
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“But I told my agent that I needed to move. I’d done everything that was asked and didn’t get a chance. I saw that Jadon Sancho had moved abroad from Man City, Paul Pogba from Man United. I was happy to try and take a similar route.”
