Manchester United are now planning to loan out midfielder Zidane Iqbal – a player on the Preston North End radar.
That is according to a report from Manchester World, who claim that Iqbal is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer.
It’s stated that a loan is the most likely outcome for Iqbal but a permanent exit can’t be ruled out.
The 20-year-old wants first-team minutes having failed to make a single senior appearance for United this past season.
United keeping hold of Iqbal made many believe that he would feature under Erik ten Hag at some point, but it just never happened.
Now in desperate need of action, Iqbal is likely to be on the move – and that could spark PNE’s interest back into life.
Zidane Iqbal has been on Preston North End’s radar
Iqbal actually joined up with PNE for a week of training at the back end of the 2021-22 campaign.
The midfielder came to Euxton as part of United’s work experience setup, joining another Red Devils talent in PNE training.
That left some expecting a loan move for Iqbal but that never quite materialised.
PNE boss Ryan Lowe told the LEP in January that there was no interest in Iqbal at that time, highlighting two reasons.
Firstly that PNE weren’t looking for a midfielder and secondly that Iqbal didn’t appear to be available anyway.
Lowe did though praise Iqbal as a ‘quality player’ and thought the 2023-24 season may be the right time for a Championship loan.
The 20-year-old is somebody PNE are well aware of and the development of Alvaro Fernandez last season will certainly have North End in United’s good books.
PNE may also need a midfielder this time around.
Daniel Johnson and Josh Onomah are both out of contract and could walk away, leaving PNE short of creativity in midfield.
Iqbal could help rectify that situation whilst there have even been links to his Iraq international teammate Ali Al-Hamadi too.
If United are indeed willing to let Iqbal go out on loan, we would be surprised if PNE didn’t ask the question about a season-long move.