Zidane Iqbal stays with Manchester United this season instead of being loaned out after the teenager impressed Erik ten Hag at the club’s preseason tour.
The 19-year-old was part of United’s squad that toured Thailand and Australia and he is one of its biggest beneficiaries.
Iqbal showed his immense talent with some standout displays, most notably against Liverpool in Bangkok when his cameo in the second half showed the quality of the Iraq international.
The teenager was expected to be loaned out this season after signing a new long-term contract with the club earlier this year.
But Ten Hag thinks Iqbal’s future will be best served by staying at the Theater of Dreams this season and he is in line to be part of the first-team roster.
With a hectic schedule in the run-up to the World Cup in November, Iqbal was able to take minutes in the Europa League and the cup competitions.
There is room in United’s midfield after the departures of Andreas Pereira, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba this summer.
United have signed Christian Eriksen and remain hopeful that Frenkie de Jong will arrive.
Lisandro Martinez completed his £47 million move to Old Trafford on Wednesday and the Argentine could appear in midfield if De Jong does not arrive.
The Argentina international played in the defensive midfield during his first season with Ten Hag at Ajax, but then moved to the central defense.
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