He's always been as technically gifted as anyone in our academy. His issues, IMO, have stemmed from drifting in and out of games too much. Lure of first team football could be a good motivator for him.
Zidane Iqbal
- Thread starter Adnan
- Start date
A lot of that was down to the fact there wasn't much outlet in the second half. Amad (who really struggled) was playing as striker against VVD and Konate. So it was either in behind the defence or backwards. He did well.
Now has a dipper shirt
Press resistant. You love to see it.
Firstly, let’s stop comparing Iqbal against other players…he plays a different game to Savage and others. His game means he will take risks which means he will give the ball away sometimes. All creative passers do this.
Secondly, no one has any idea what tactical instructions they were given by the manager. Maybe both Iqbal and Savage did EXACTLY what they were told and that might not be what Billy on Twitter or Bigred on RedCafe thinks they should be doing.
Enjoy watching them play, grow and hopefully contribute to United’s future success.
Secondly, no one has any idea what tactical instructions they were given by the manager. Maybe both Iqbal and Savage did EXACTLY what they were told and that might not be what Billy on Twitter or Bigred on RedCafe thinks they should be doing.
Enjoy watching them play, grow and hopefully contribute to United’s future success.
Last edited:
Agreed some quality options coming through
Mainoo is something else as well. The boy is too good. Sometimes you'd think you are watching Pogba
good to see they tied him down until 2025.....what impressed me the most was his willingness to get on the ball in tight situations but the composure to deal with the pressure and not make rushed decisions and this was against their starting CM's of Thiago, Keita and Fabinho.
Future should be very bright for the young lad at United and i suspect you'll see him get first team matches this season
Future should be very bright for the young lad at United and i suspect you'll see him get first team matches this season
Hoping he along with a few other younger players make a breakthrough this season.
Based on some of the criticism aimed at him passing backwards, i reckon a lot of you guys will hate our football under Ten Hag.
Yeah, he is. Didn’t play great in the youth cup final but was class in the few games before it.
I’m tempted to say ten Hag might give him a debut if he keeps up the levels in the under 23s this season.
Not sure about the Pogba comparison though, Mainoo already seems more suited to a midfield 2 than Pogba ever was.
As always a sensible post
Not the right thread but I think both Mainoo and Gore might get chances this season
What do you see as the main differences between Zidane and Hannibal Mr.Mujac? Just curious as you've probably watched them play more than most of us.
Hopefully!
Purely want him to make it so we can have Zidane in midfield.
They play in similar roles so have more similarities than differences. However a few observations:
1. Iqbal tends to pass the ball through teams, mainly with short and medium range passes while Mejbri runs past players particularly in the opponents half
2. Iqbal plays a little deeper than Mejbri but that might be a tactical instruction from the coaches
3. Iqbal has an eye for goal and will drive centrally into the box whereas Mejbri doesn't shoot that much and drifts wider to open the game up for others.
4. Mejbri brings opposition players out of position to him then lays the ball off quite a bit so creates gaps in defence. He plays a longer game than Iqbal.
5. Iqbal played as a 6, 8, 10, 11 last season whereas Mejbri always played as a 10 which suggests Iqbal is more versatile OR...the coaches think Mejbri is better in that position.
Thank you sir. Bodes well for Zidane that he is versatile and keeps things relatively simple, probably makes it easier to step up to the first team.
Not trying to hype them up but they could become our Xavi and Iniesta with some time.
of course they won't be xavi/iniesta but they could be really good.
Thanks, very useful summary.
Had high hopes for him, but looks like his career at United is definitely over.
One thing I'm looking forward to this season is the youngsters getting games because Ten Hag has a great record of developing them
Hopefully Iqbal, Mejbri, Garner, Laird and Garnacho all get chances in the 1st team.
One of the main reasons I wanted Ten Hag over Conte.
Hopefully Iqbal, Mejbri, Garner, Laird and Garnacho all get chances in the 1st team.
One of the main reasons I wanted Ten Hag over Conte.
Agreed, he's 21 now, he's not even made the tour squad and the highest level he's played at is League One.
Feckin hell, I came in here and thought these were about Iqbal
Thought I was going crazy for a second.I also think Zidane has better temperament. Hannibal draws a lot of fouls and ensures everyone knows about it. Zidane looks a bit calmer
what we see though.....4 very good young CM's pushing to break into the first team for opportunities(Garner, Hannibal, Zidane, Savage). This really sets us up nicely if we can keep them happy and under contract moving forward.
With Mainoo and Gore just behind (age wise)
There is a very good player in there. Just have to be coached right and given his chance.
He's better than Scott right now
Better hair, that's about it
What are you basing that assessment on?
The fact that he actually take the ball from our defence, Press resistence, can pass, doesn't take to many touches on the , actually can turn with the ball, fearless and take responsibility
That is the most opposite description of McT the footballer. All qualities McT just doesnt have or atleast has never shown
Talked about Iqbal
Last edited:
That's a big take from one half of a pre-season game.
Hope the kid has it, but let's give him time.
That is the most opposite description of McT the footballer. All qualities McT just doesnt have or atleast has never shown
That’s one hell of a conclusion to have arrived at already!
Yep file Galbraith in the Levitt category I think - time to go and make his way in the game elsewhere. Expect him to move on permanently this summer.
Interested to see Iqbal and Savage again tomorrow.
Played well again and has high level technique for his age.
Very confident on the ball which is great. Hopefully they all get a chance in the first team this season be it in the lesser games in cups or the Europa if weve already qualified for the next stage.
He is already a lot better than McT on the ball. Very good technical ability and balance. Needs to expand his passing range more though. Too many times he goes past a player and plays it short to the man next to him. He needs a loan where he should start more or less every game. Not sure he is going to improve by staying around as a fringe player.
He just doesn’t look out of place/his depth at all. Plays the right pass all the time when on the ball and has some very good upper strength too when shielding/holding opponents off. I noticed a lot of the time over these two games that whenever we are building from the back, he isn’t hiding behind the opposition. He’s always coming up to ask for the ball in order to take it forward. Very confident and comfortable.
He’s doing our British South Asian community proud and becoming a bit of an inspiration for so many young members of the community! Keep it up young man!
He’s doing our British South Asian community proud and becoming a bit of an inspiration for so many young members of the community! Keep it up young man!