Manchester United: British South Asian trailblazer Zidane Iqbal signs new long-term contract

Manchester United starlet Zidane Iqbal pens new long-term deal; attacking midfielder Iqbal, whose mother is Iraqi and whose father is Pakistani, is the only British South Asian ever to have played for United; the 19-year-old made his Champions League debut at Old Trafford last December

Manchester United's Zidane Iqbal during the UEFA Champions League, Group F match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Picture date: Wednesday December 8, 2021.
Image: Trailblazer Zidane Iqbal signs new long-term Manchester United deal

Zidane Iqbal has committed his future to Manchester United by signing a new long-term contract to remain at Old Trafford.

Academy graduate Iqbal made history last December when he appeared in the Champions League game against Young Boys to become the first British South Asian to play for Manchester United.

Iqbal, who recently turned 19, came on in the closing stages of the Group F encounter, replacing England international Jesse Lingard as a late substitute.

The born and bred Mancunian, whose mother is Iraqi and whose father is Pakistani, also enjoyed his first taste of international football by turning out for Iraq in World Cup qualifiers away in Lebanon and Iraq earlier this year.

News of Iqbal's new contract comes as United are close to agreeing a deal with Barcelona for midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

Sky Sports News has been told the clubs have a "broad agreement" on the fee - believed to be €65m (£56m) plus performance-related add-ons.

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Manchester United's Zidane Iqbal says he is proud of his diverse heritage and upbringing as he prepares to make his international debut for Iraq away in Iran (courtesy of MUTV)

Discussions continue over the finer details of the deal and there is still work to do but there appears an increased confidence a deal can be struck.

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Personal terms are not expected to be a problem.

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Sky Sports News reporter Michael Bridge provides the latest update on Manchester United's move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, saying the clubs have a 'broad agreement' on a fee for the 25-year-old.

The Dutchman made 46 appearances for Barcelona last term and has four years remaining on his current contract at the Nou Camp.

De Jong played under new United boss Erik ten Hag at Ajax and was part of the squad that completed the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup double during the 2018/19 campaign, as well as reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

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British South Asians in Football

For more stories, features and videos, visit our groundbreaking South Asians in Football page on skysports.com and South Asians in the Game blog and stay tuned to Sky Sports News and our Sky Sports digital platforms.

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