Manchester United youngster Zidane Iqbal turned down a ‘lucrative’ offer to leave Old Trafford, according to reports. The 18-year-old is one of the club’s hottest prospects for the future. And he’s already appeared for the first team so far this season.
Manchester United gave Iqbal his first-team debut back in December.
The teenager came on in the closing stages of the club’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Young Boys, with their progress to the knockout phase of the competition already secured.
Since then, Iqbal has made his debut for Iraq.
And, now, The Athletic say the United teenager turned down a ‘lucrative’ offer to leave the club and continue his development in England instead.
It’s stated by the report that United are likely to try and loan the Iraq international out next season.
Man Utd youngster Zidane Iqbal turned down the chance to leave Old Trafford (Image: GETTY)
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Man Utd have high hopes for teenager Zidane Iqbal (Image: GETTY)
“It was massive, but it’s not something I really focused on since I was young,” he said.
“I just enjoyed the sport and didn’t really think too much about that and as I got older, I realised that I was the first South Asian, so it’s a great thing but, ultimately, it’s just a lot of hard work that got me there.
“The support has been great.
“I’ve had so many messages that I can’t read through them all!
“But the ones I have read have been really good and positive and hopefully I can keep it up and just excel from here.
Man Utd are likely to loan out Zidane Iqbal next term (Image: GETTY)
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“Of course I’d like to be a good role model. I see lots of people saying, ‘oh, you’re a role model’ and I try and take that on in everything I do, really.
“I still focus on myself, I’ve still got a lot to learn, but if I was to be a role model, I’d obviously want to be a good one and hopefully I can be.”
Iqbal made his debut for Iraq as they lost 1-0 to Iran last week.
They then proceeded to draw with Lebanon, with the United youngster coming off the bench again in that fixture.
When he next appears for United, however, remains to be seen.