How Man United youngster could help Erik ten Hag solve midfield problem

One of the main positions that people have identified Manchester United needs to strengthen is their midfield and Zidane Iqbal could help out with this issue.

Erik Ten Hag has brought in three players in two transfer windows to bolster his options in the middle of the park; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Marcel Sabitzer.

After last Sunday’s devastating defeat away to Liverpool, Thursday’s clash with Real Betis in the Europa League at Old Trafford allows Ten Hag’s side to bounce back with a win. United fans could see some changes to the team, and the midfield could be one place the Dutchman shuffles the pack on Thursday.

United’s options in midfield

Ten Hag’s midfield options across the board are undoubtedly ones with quality. Casemiro is arguably the best in the world in his position, Bruno Fernandes is having another productive season and the likes of Sabizter and Fred are also good options for the Dutchman. Eriksen has also played a key role this season and is a player of great quality, although he is currently injured.

Despite the quality and different profiles amongst these players, there is one profile the United midfield is currently missing, and in desperate need of; a progressive, press-resistant, ball-carrying number eight.

This is a role that Eriksen has filled this season, and, whilst he has done reasonably well doing an unfamiliar job, he thrives further up the pitch, and has not had the ball-carrying ability United have needed.

The man for the job

Over the transfer window last summer, United were pursuing the signing of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Dutch international is probably the most ideal man in the world to slot into United’s midfield as the eight. He possesses every attribute required to excel in the role, as he has shown in his career so far, and would no doubt elevate United’s midfield.

De Jong, of course, does not currently play for United, although there are rumours of another pursuit in the summer. For now, Ten Hag will have to look elsewhere for someone to slot into the midfield next to Casemiro and fill the eight role. One option, albeit a rogue shout, the United manager has is 19-year-old Zidane Iqbal.

Iqbal has made just one first-team appearance for United so far, against Young Boys in the Champions League last season. He is also a full international with Iraq. Under Ten Hag, he played in several pre-season games, both winter friendlies during the World Cup, and has been on the bench regularly this season, without being called upon.

Iqbal’s profile

Despite his inexperience, Iqbal is a player who has some of the ideal attributes necessary for what Ten Hag, and United, need of their eight. Firstly, and arguably most importantly, Iqbal is a brilliant ball carrier.

He is confident receiving the balls from the centre-backs in a deep position, breaking the opposition press and carrying the ball forward to progress United. His dribbling ability has stood out, and he is good at evading an opposition press, to progress his side forward. He has excellent spatial awareness and a low centre of gravity, meaning he can easily change direction to evade a defender.

Additionally, Iqbal’s progressive passing is a key part of his game. The Iraq international has got brilliant vision, something which can be important in both the first phase of build-up and in the final third.

As well as being able to play line-breaking passes, the youngster can also bring extra creativity to United’s attack, and he would have the licence to get forward, especially with Casemiro behind him. One look at Iqbal’s pass to Omari Forson for United’s under-21s against Blackburn Rovers this season is enough to tell just how good his vision is.

Defensively, Iqbal is also good, and his work rate is second to none. Whilst he excels more in possession of the ball, he is still a good player defensively, and is a strong tackler, an important quality for him to possess should he get the chance to play in United’s midfield. Of course, playing next to Casemiro will be a benefit for Iqbal, but it is still important he is competent defensively, which he more than is.

From Iqbal’s heatmap from this season’s Papa John’s Trophy, it is clear to see that he is confident picking the ball up from the centre-backs and carrying the ball forward, also operating further up the pitch when necessary. In terms of his profile, he certainly fits the kind of player United needs to play as the eight in Ten Hag’s system, even if he isn’t very experienced, or anywhere near the level of someone like De Jong yet.

Friendly performances

As previously mentioned, Iqbal has been given an opportunity by Ten Hag this season in both preseason and winter friendlies. In pre-season, he was very impressive, slotting into midfield seamlessly. He put in an especially good performance against Liverpool in Bangkok and impressed the United manager enough to earn more opportunities in midfield during the tour.

Another impressive performance from Iqbal came against Cadiz in a winter-friendly during the World Cup. In this game, Iqbal stood out in the midfield and was one of the best players on the pitch. He won a penalty for United, playing a clever one-two with Anthony Martial, before beating a defender and drawing a foul in the box.

His performances for the first team in the friendlies were impressive and led to many fans calling for Iqbal to get his chance competitively for the first team.

Should Iqbal get an opportunity?

Whilst there is no doubt Iqbal has a lot of room for improvement, at only 19 years old, and so soon into his professional career, he certainly has a lot of strengths which would help him

With United’s midfield missing his kind of profile in midfield, it could open the door for Iqbal to get himself into the side for the rest of the season, starting with an opportunity against Real Betis on Thursday.

There is other competition for places in midfield, for example from fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo, who has been superb for United when he has got his chance.  However, Ten Hag clearly rates Iqbal enough to give him minutes in pre-season, the winter friendlies, and appearances on the bench.

Whilst he is yet to call upon Iqbal in a competitive game this season, an opportunity for the youngster could be right around the corner. It would certainly be a selection that would excite United fans, given Iqbal’s obvious talent, and his suitability for the role in contention.