From Man United's academy to the World Cup, with Zidane Iqbal
episodePreviously titled “From Man United's academy to the World Cup: Zidane Iqbal” — renamed by the publisher on Aug 3, 2026
Talk of the Devils: The Athletic FC's Manchester United show
54 min
1 speaker
8 chapters
transcribed 1 month ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
Who is Zidane Iqbal and how did his Manchester United academy journey begin?
Hello everyone. Of course, Manchester United's season is now over and the World Cup finals are upon us. We've recorded our Manchester United perspective-led World Cup preview. Go back and have a look at that if you're interested. But today we've got a very exciting interview to bring you with former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal, a Manchester lad who will be representing Iraq at this summer's tournament. After this episode, we're We're going to be taking a break until the twenty fifth of June. That's when we're going to be back on Talk of the Devils. So have a look at what's happened for Manchester United. There's always a chance of an emergency podcast between now and then if something major happens.
But for the minute, enjoy this episode with Zidane. Enjoy the break and we'll see you on the other side. The Athletic FC
This is Talk the Devil's, the Athletic Show dedicated to Manchester United. Coming up today, we're building up to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. And on this episode, we have a very special guest, someone who is going to be representing their country in the tournament. Very excited to say that Zidane Iqbal is here with us in the studio. You'll know him, of course, from his past at Manchester United, but you're going to be playing for Iraq in the tournament this summer. Absolutely brilliant to have you in, so thank you for coming in. First of all, what are you doing in Manchester?
No, first of all, thank you for inviting me. It's a pleasure to be here. Yeah, I'm in Manchester, I've got a few days off and Yeah, I thought I'd just go visit my family and friends and spend some time with them.
Sounds good. Critch is here obviously in the studio with us. Andy's joining along at home as well. And you know Andy a little bit and you know Critch a little bit. You spoke to both of them in the past, so that's good to reconnect. 'Cause I think Andy's actually been to Holland. Is that right? To to come and meet you a few years ago, Andy? He stood you up.
Yeah. It it is right. I made the long, arduous journey to Utrecht in Holland to meet Zidane. I'd first met his mum and dad when United played bettis pre-season. Remember under Eric Tenargin that winter break thing? And his mum and dad were lovely, met him in a hotel and his mum's like, Come to Iraq, my sisters will sort you out, everything will be sound and then um speaking to the parents a lot and then I went to Utrecht to meet Zidane.
Are you aware
of this? Um Do you know what? Um no, next time you're a new check that I'll I'll definitely see you go out for a lunch on me.
So I'll tell you what happened. I could go to a Utrecht game. He was playing really well there and I thought I'd go and watch him. He left me a ticket for the players lounge. So I met all of his teammates and they were saying really nice things about him, how skillful he was. I watched the game there and Zidane said I'll meet you after the game in the players' lounge, but I had to get back to Amsterdam 'cause I had a six o'clock flight the next morning. But we've done loads of stuff since anyway. He's got uh had a good career and he's told us some good stories and hopefully we'll get into some of them on this interview.
Yeah, I'm sure we will. So Zidane, obviously we want to talk to you about the World Cup, we want to talk to you about representing Iraq, the figure that you are for British Asians in the UK as well, um, which I think is is an incredible thing for you and the work that you've done as well. Um, alongside that, we'll talk about your past with Manchester United, about Utrecht, and about the future as well. But we want to start with Iraq, 'cause obviously there there is a World Cup to look forward to straight away. The most obvious question for me is how does it feel to be building up to something like this?
It's unreal to be honest. I think as a kid aspiring to be a footballer, so everyone's dreamed uh playing the World Cup at the highest stage possible. So um I think it's even more special doing it with a country like Iraq who's not qualified for forty years and only ever qualified once.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
Who is Zidane Iqbal and how did his Manchester United academy journey begin?
0:00–7:36
2
Why did Zidane choose to represent Iraq instead of England or Pakistan?
7:36–13:43
3
How did Iraq’s World Cup qualifying campaign unfold and what were the key moments?
13:43–21:40
4
What was Zidane’s experience moving from Manchester United to Utrecht and adjusting to Dutch football?
21:40–27:46
5
How did injuries, especially the torn LCL, affect his season and World Cup preparation?
27:46–35:18
6
In what ways is Zidane working to inspire British‑Asian players and what projects has he done with the PFA?
35:18–42:27
7
What are Zidane’s goals for the 2026 World Cup and his thoughts on playing against top nations?
42:27–47:55
8
What does Zidane envision for his post‑World Cup career – a return to England, Premier League ambitions or something else?
47:55–54:30