Zidane Iqbal has admitted adapting to different conditions against European opposition will help Manchester United's youngsters.
United travelled to Spain for a week's training camp at the weekend and they played Cadiz CF on Wednesday night. United were defeated 4-2 in the friendly match but it was an opportunity for the Reds' young players to play in front of Erik ten Hag.
Anthony Martial and 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo got on the scoresheet and Iqbal was another youngster to make a statement after winning a penalty, which Martial converted, early in the first half following an excellent run into the box.
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Iqbal impressed Ten Hag on the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia and he enjoyed a promising 45 minutes against Cadiz.
Ten Hag made 10 changes at the break, with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka the only player to remain on the pitch from the starting line up, which meant Iqbal was brought off, but he still felt the minutes had been a valuable learning experience.
"Yeah, two sloppy goals [first half], first game after a little break, so we'll look back on it," Iqbal told MUTV. "A great experience overall in Spain, adapting to the weather and getting fitness up for the first 45 minutes. I think the whole team did well.
"Maybe the first 10 minutes were a bit sloppy, but I think we grew into the game as a team together. Saturday we're playing Real Betis, a strong side and high up in La Liga, but it will be a great experience, especially for the lads that came on in the second half.
"We're all young, we're all learning, so it's been a great experience so far. I thought they [youngsters] did well, they competed. We're still on our journeys and there's more to come."
Iqbal also discussed the different tactical demands that playing against European opposition can bring.
He added: "Different tactics, they kept two strikers high and they kept the two wingers, so just about the counter-attack, staying deep and screening. It was different opposition, different tactics and all of this adds up."
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