Iqbal, who spent 14 years with Manchester United, spoke about his frustrations with the club. He wanted to prove himself and felt like a prisoner due to his limited playing time. Despite training and traveling with the first team, he was not allowed to play for the under-23s, which made it mentally tough for him.

During the 2022 pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, Iqbal was the breakout star. However, under ten Hag's management, he barely got any playing time. He even felt like a number, without any significance to the team.

According to Iqbal, ten Hag made a few poor decisions, which led to the young midfielder being overlooked. Iqbal's opportunity to play was missed when ten Hag told him to stay patient, despite his best efforts to impress.

Iqbal eventually decided to leave Manchester United and join FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. He is now enjoying first-team football and has made 21 appearances for the club in the Eredivisie.

Looking back, Iqbal is grateful that his friend Ali Al Hamadi became the first Iraqi player in the Premier League, but he is also happy that he made the decision to leave Manchester United and pursue his career elsewhere.

Iqbal's experience serves as a reminder that even talented players need opportunities to play and grow. His story highlights the importance of giving young players a chance to showcase their skills and develop their talents.