Manchester United continue to offload young players but have wisely included a number of clauses in case they become stars.
The patch to becoming a Manchester United star is a tricky one.
United’s academy stars dream of being adored at Old Trafford but few actually get to live out that fantasy.
Kobbie Mainoo has hit those heights but even Marcus Rashford has moved on to Aston Villa despite becoming a homegrown hero.
Recent transfer windows have shown that United are now willing to let young players leave the club – but with buy-back and sell-on clauses involved.
One such example emerged on deadline day as United sold Ruben Curley to Stoke City, allowing the teenager to try and push for first-team action elsewhere.
Zidane Iqbal on Manchester United return
If Curley thrives at Stoke City, he may well make United money down the line with a sell-on clause – or even return to Old Trafford thanks to the buy-back option.
Another player in a similar boat is midfielder Zidane Iqbal.
Eyebrows were raised when Iqbal was sold by United in 2023, completing a move to Dutch side FC Utrecht.
Iqbal had long been highly regarded in the United youth setup but departed for first-team action in the Netherlands.
United have a hefty sell-on clause on Iqbal and even a buy-back clause to potentially bring him back to Manchester one day.
Iqbal needs to really impress at Utrecht to make that a reality and he has now played down the notion of rejoining United any time soon.
Speaking to Algemeen Dagblad, Iqbal was asked whether his dream is to rejoin United one day.
Iqbal suggested that he isn’t looking that far ahead and its just focused on Utrecht and their push for European football.
The Iraq international would surely love a return to United but he knows that he won’t come close to such a move unless he gets his head down and improves his game.‘To be honest’: Exciting midfielder responds when asked if he wants dream Manchester United transfer
“To be honest, I don’t look that far,” said Iqbal.
“I’m not concerned with the future, I leave that to God. I live in the now, take each day as it comes and enjoy, especially after that difficult first year, the fact that I can play football for Utrecht. Hopefully we qualify for European football this season,” he added.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Never say never for Zidane Iqbal
Iqbal returning to United may be a long shot but you can never say never.
Nobody could have predicted Jonny Evans returning to United eight years after his 2015 exit to West Bromwich Albion.
United have even considered activating one buy-back clause in recent weeks.
United looked at Alvaro Fernandez in January with a view to activating the buy-back clause inserted in his move to Benfica.
The Spaniard is developing brilliantly in Portugal and United may still look to bring him back to Old Trafford later this year.
That is the example Iqbal must follow and if he can shine at Utrecht, the door for a return to United will remain open.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/3cB9LWj