Man United's Zidane Iqbal names Frenkie de Jong and Liverpool midfielder as favourite players

Manchester United's Zidane Iqbal has named Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and Liverpool's Thiago as players he admires.

The Manchester Evening News revealed in January that Iqbal actively studies De Jong, who Erik ten Hag earmarked as his priority signing in the summer transfer window, and the academy graduate has now lauded the midfielder on record.

After impressing Ten Hag with his performances on United's pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia, with Iqbal notably making an appearance in all four matches, the youngster was permanently promoted to the first-team squad for this campaign.

Iqbal is yet to make an appearance for the first-team this season, but he's made the majority of the matchday squads, and when recently discussing his idols in football, he named the two players he loves to watch while opening up on his religion.

The youngster also reiterated in the interview that he can 'respect' Thiago for his ability, despite him playing for rivals Liverpool.

“When I was young my dad used to put a lot of YouTube videos of Zinedine Zidane on at home,” Iqbal told GQ magazine.

”Now, I look up to Frenkie de Jong, I think he’s a brilliant player. And Thiago from Liverpool. I know he’s playing for Liverpool but you can still respect another person and how they play – he’s beautiful to watch.

“Religion is massive, it keeps me disciplined and focussed. If I can be focussed off the pitch, I can be focussed on the pitch. My five prayers that I have to keep daily help me a lot on the pitch because I’m focussed on my life around me.

"I’m watched over, protected, you know? But I do believe that you can’t just pray and wish for it to happen, you still have to make it happen yourself. If I give 100 per cent then I can trust God to look after me.”