Not the “Zidane” some expected to be making an appearance at Manchester United by now, but Ralf Rangnick made a show of faith in the club’s youngsters by naming teenager Zidane Iqbal in his first Champions League squad to face Young Boys.
In Rangnick’s second game in the dugout following the win over Crystal Palace, attacking midfielder Iqbal became the first British South Asian player to feature on the bench for the Red Devils.
The 18-year-old, who is of Pakistani and Iraqi heritage and was born in Manchester, had been pictured training with the first team on Tuesday.
It is the first time a British South Asian player has played for an English club in the Champions League since 2002-03, when Michael Chopra did so for Newcastle United.
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Rangnick had hinted that he could opt for an unexpected line-up with United already through as group winners, stressing United’s need to win “even if we may be playing with a few new players or fresh players.”
Iqbal was an obvious candidate having impressed in the academy of late, including with goals in the EFL Trophy against Sunderland and in the Uefa Youth League against Atalanta.
The teenager is yet to make his senior international debut but has already played for Iraq’s U23 side, while he is eligible to play for England and Pakistan too.
Charlie Savage, son of former Premier League midfielder Robbie, was also named in United’s squad, while Anthony Elanga – who also featured against Crystal Palace – started alongside Mason Greenwood.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/31yiC4c
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