Manchester United fans divided as club accept ‘shockingly low’ offer for promising youngster Zidane Iqbal
The frustration seems to be not just about letting a young talent go but the club's history of poor sales, whereas many others are calling it an overreaction.
The Manchester United fan base has been left split following the news that an offer has been accepted for promising youngster, Zidane Iqbal, with the academy player set to join FC Utrecht imminently after more than 10 years at the club.
20-year-old Zidane Iqbal has been revered as one of the brightest young talents in Man United‘s academy for a number of years now, finding his way onto the bench seven times in the Premier League and a further nine times in the Europa League last season.
However, despite making his debut back in 2021 to become the first-ever British South Asian player to play for the club, flitting between the youth ranks and sitting as an unused sub has very much been the story of his United career over the past year or so and he is now set to leave on a permanent deal.
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, the Manchester-born Iraqi international scouted by the Red Devils while playing for his local side, Sale United, is soon to depart Old Trafford for the Eredivisie side for just £855,000 (around €1 million) on a four-year contract with a “significant sell-on clause”.
🚨 EXCL: Man Utd have accepted an offer from FC Utrecht to sign Zidane Iqbal on a permanent transfer. Deal for 20yo Iraq midfielder worth up to €1m + significant sell-on clause for #MUFC. Medical done, set to join on 4yr contract @TheAthleticFC#FCUtrechthttps://t.co/CuDJOkLW8a
Now, while it has been reported that his exit was planned as early as the beginning of last season (the only debate being whether it would be a loan or permanent), Iqbal apparently asked to leave as early as January but was told he could not due to the ongoing injury crisis.
However, the local lad still failed to make a single appearance under Erik ten Hag and was then left frustrated when the manager didn’t allow him to with the Iraq national team to the U20 World Cup which finished earlier this month, despite not being given any opportunities in the first-team.
And it is that fact that has left many United fans disappointed as despite crying to see more of him in the likes of the Europa League and domestic cup games, he is now about to leave his boyhood club without ever having got the chance to kick a ball at the senior level.
Becoming the latest academy prospect that fans once thought could have a big future to say goodbye, it has left many wondering whether it’s the right move and what could have been if he had been given a proper chance.
Fee that we are selling him for is ridiculous and more gutted that he never got a single minute in any competition for United this season despite showing promise in the pre season. Even Ralf Rangnick gave him an appearance in a CL game at OT.
As you can see, beyond just the outgoing itself and the loss of a much-admired academy midfielder, one of the most concerning parts for many supporters is the money itself, with several noting that his reported fee is basically the equivalent of two weeks’ worth of Jadon Sancho‘s wages.
Moreover, although he may not have had the game time to prove himself on the pitch at the top level and potentially drive up his price, the likes of Man City have managed to move on promising youth players for significant money in the same situation.
The argument seems to be that the red half of Manchester just isn’t very good when it comes to transfer business and player sales, in particular. In fact, since 2018, the club have only received upwards of £20m for a player twice — Romelu Lukaku and Dan James — with many players leaving for free.
🤦♂️ Zidane Iqbal will be joining FC Utrecht for €1million – a shockingly low deal.
— Paul, Manc Bald and Bred (@MufcWonItAll) June 20, 2023
The fee has been described by many as ‘shockingly low’.
When you break it down like that, it doesn’t make for great reading, does it?
He was obviously unproven in the Prem and had simply remained under that ‘one to watch’ status, but United’s heritage of bringing young players through and seeing the likes of Alejandro Garnacho thrive as he has this season understandably left some thinking the move is premature.
On the other hand, many fans are arguing that there was no standout reason to keep Iqbal at the club and that some of the response to his departure has been a bit of an overreaction, especially when considering the possibility of him continuing to sit on the bench and wasting prime years in his career.
Then again, that’s always the risk you take when you let a youth prospect go.
Hope the move works out well for him. He’s too good to be spending a season waiting for first team football and by all accounts is a decent lad.
Reminds me a bit of the Angel Gomes situation, and I was gutted when we let him go. He’s about to turn 23 and is now a regular starter for a top half of the table team in France, being offered football he wouldn’t have had at United. But the decision to let him leave was right.
Many shocked about Iqbal being sold but they really need to wake up and stop thinking the likes of him, Mengi, Savage etc are going to be world beaters after they finish ‘developing’ Our support lives in cloud cuckoo land
Nevertheless, Man United fans are still overwhelmingly wishing him the best for his move to the Netherlands where he’ll hopefully get plenty of first-team football. After all, that’s the dream, isn’t it?
As for Iqbal himself, there’s no question as to what representing the club meant to him and he’ll always be a significant part of the United’s history.
We always want to see Mancs do well — go and smash it, lad!
🗣️ "I've grown up playing for the academy and I love the club”
Jonny Evans is staying at Manchester United after retirement
Danny Jones
Recently retired defender Jonny Evans is reportedly staying at Manchester United after hanging up his boots as a player and is set to remain in a new staff role at the club.
Evans enjoyed somewhat of a renaissance in red after returning to Old Trafford back in 2023 on a short-term deal that was initially intended as a way of him regaining fitness whilst helping Man United out on their pre-season tour.
Fast-forward to 2025, and he’s made another 43 appearances for the team, a whole eight years on from his first spell, with his temporary contract made permanent under Erik ten Hag and playing a number of games under Ruben Amorim as well.
However, having picked up an injury in the previous campaign and now at 37 years old, his second stint wasn’t going to last forever; as per The Athletic‘s Laurie Whitwell, Evans will now take up a staff job at United, dealing primarily with young players.
Exc: Jonny Evans is to stay at Manchester United after agreeing new role on staff.
Evans will look after youth loans, helping place players at clubs + offering them support through the process.
The Stockport-born journalist explains that the Northern Irish centre-back will be operating in a youth development role, focusing specifically on youth loans and bedding academy products into other clubs.
As an academy graduate himself, his knowledge of the system and wealth of expertise as a veteran of the senior game have seen him identified as an ideal candidate for the task.
With yet another round of redundancies around the organisation earlier this year, and with academy director Nick Cox leaving the setup after nearly a decade at the club last week, his arrival in the post has come at a crucial time.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the INEOS Group and CEO Omar Berrada have all faced heavy criticism for trimming the workforce despite paying off heavy sums owed on players and coaches no longer at the club, as well as continuing to try and spend in the summer window.
A number of unpopular decisions are already directly impacting the supporters, too.
It isn’t just the staff that are being hit by the cutbacks and business decisions.
Nevertheless, retaining the cult favourite club servant has been met with a much better reception.
Whitwell explains that “United see Evans as a valuable asset for his character, professionalism and experience of winning trophies, and feel a role in bridging the pathway between academy and senior football suits him.”
Plus, with Mathues Cunha already brought into the club and progress being made in the deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo, there is plenty of reason for fans to be positive.
Wigan Athletic make statement signing after grabbing Wrexham’s Paul Mullin on loan
Danny Jones
Wigan Athletic have pulled over a big transfer in the summer window, albeit only temporarily for now, as they have managed to acquire the services of Wrexham AFC striker Paul Mullin on loan.
The Merseyside-born marksman, who has been instrumental in helping lift Wrexham from the depths of the National League and into the Championship (the first time they’ve been back in the second division since 1977/78), joins the Latics on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Mullin may be gradually entering the latter end of his career, but he has proved time and again that he can score, managing to chip in with a respectable half dozen goal contributions even amidst a lengthy period out following back surgery and a subsequent shin injury.
The 30-year-old is the third signing for Wigan so far in 2025, following the likes of incomings Fraser Murray, a left-sided Scottish midfielder from Kilmarnock, and fellow forward Christian Saydee from Portsmouth, but he’s no doubt the one who’s caught the most attention.
A regular hero in the well-documented and Hollywood-backed Welcome to Wrexham story, Paul Mullin has notched an unbelievable 110 goals in 172 games, boasting a combined goal contribution tally of 223 across multiple English clubs up and down the football pyramid in just over a decade as a professional.
Put simply, he scores goals wherever he goes.
Commenting on the move, Mullin said via club media: “I’m excited for the next part of my story. The Gaffer has outlined his plan for the season, and I’m hoping to take his trust into the season and make it a really successful one. As a player, I give absolutely everything and work as hard as I can.
“I’ve scored a lot of goals over the last few years, but more than anything, I give my absolute all for the Club that I’m playing for, and I’m going to do that again with Wigan.”
Bidding a brief goodbye to his parent club, he responded to their announcement by adding: “All the best this season! Keep the train rolling.”
Although he’s no stranger to the North West – having been born in Litherland, Sefton and played for both Morecambe and Tranmere Rovers – Wigan Athletic is the first spell at a Greater Manchester club for Mullin. The move will also see him face familiar local foes like Stockport County and Bolton Wanderers.
It’s fair to say that, as well as finding the net pretty regularly throughout his career, he’s managed to pick up a number of accolades along the way, too, especially during his time with Wrexham.
Much-admired rising coach Ryan Lowe, who was snapped up by Wigan Athletic amidst the flurry of names linked last March, said in the official club statement: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to sign Paul. He’ll be a great addition to the group and is a player who is a proven goal scorer in the EFL.
“He has won promotion in his last three seasons with Wrexham AFC and will add firepower, know-how and experience to the group, which is really important. He is here because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to Wigan Athletic Football Club.”
“Paul is the type of character we want in the dressing room, and his experience will help support the team on and off the pitch.”
Supporters of The Red Dragons might be sad to see him go, but you’ve got to be happy with this one, right, ‘Tics?
I don’t think words can come to mind. “Oh it’s just a footballer”
No. It’s my hero, our hero Super Paul Mullin thank you.
Thank you for what you have done for us❤️
On personal note I send my high fives before every game I will miss you this season my friend
Danny Jones -
21st June 2023 
