United Eye Matanovic as Zirkzee Exit Looms
United are bracing for life without Joshua Zirkzee – and the clock is already ticking on his replacement.
The Dutch forward is edging towards the Old Trafford exit after a bruising spell in England, where he managed just nine goals in 75 appearances. Talks are progressing over a move to Fiorentina, with the striker understood to be pushing for a fresh start in Serie A after failing to ignite in United colours.
That leaves Michael Carrick short up front and scanning the market. One name keeps coming back: Freiburg’s towering Croatian, Igor Matanovic.
United turn to Matanovic as Zirkzee nears exit
At 6ft 5in, Matanovic fits the brief. Presence. Power. Penalty-box threat. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, United view the 23-year-old as the ideal successor to Zirkzee as they look to reshape their attack before the window shuts.
Matanovic has just come off a breakout first season with Freiburg following his £6.9m switch from Eintracht Frankfurt. Fifteen goals in all competitions under Julian Schuster, a Europa League final, and the sense that he’s outgrown his current role. Freiburg fell short in that final against Aston Villa, but Matanovic’s stock rose all the same.
United, though, are not alone at the table.
Spurs join the chase
Tottenham are pushing hard of their own. Roberto De Zerbi wants more height and variety on his frontline, even with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison already in the squad. Matanovic offers something different: a Mandzukic-style focal point, a target who can pin centre-backs and still run the channels.
Spurs’ interest means United cannot dawdle. Any delay around Zirkzee’s departure risks opening the door for De Zerbi to move first.
Fiorentina’s domino effect
Then comes the twist. Fiorentina are not just circling Zirkzee; they are also tracking Matanovic as a possible alternative.
Fabio Grosso’s side are preparing for life after Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas at Como. La Viola are scouring the market for a new striker and have both Zirkzee and Matanovic on their list. If talks for Zirkzee hit a snag, Fiorentina could pivot straight to the Freiburg forward.
That scenario would light the fuse on a three-way battle: United, Tottenham, Fiorentina – all chasing the same 23-year-old with the deadline looming.
United’s reshuffle up front
United’s need is clear. The sale of Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli has left Carrick’s squad light through the middle. Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba have been bedded into midfield, but the lack of a ruthless edge in the box was laid bare in a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City.
A new number nine is no luxury; it’s a necessity.
Negotiations over Zirkzee’s exit are advancing, with Fiorentina confident of securing a season-long loan. Offloading the Dutchman would free up both wages and room in the squad, allowing United to push ahead with a formal offer for Matanovic before Tuesday’s deadline.
The timing is tight. The opportunity is obvious.
A striker on the rise
Matanovic’s profile has accelerated over the past year. He failed to score in three outings at the summer World Cup, but his response at club level has been emphatic. He has started the new campaign on fire, including a brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal win over Dusseldorf that underlined his growing authority in the penalty area.
Clubs across Europe have noticed. Comparisons with Croatian great Mario Mandzukic are already surfacing – not just for the physical frame, but for the relentlessness, the aerial dominance, the willingness to scrap for every ball.
For United, landing Matanovic would mark a clear shift in approach: a more direct, more physical presence leading the line, a different kind of reference point to build around.
With Tottenham hovering, Fiorentina juggling their options and the deadline closing in, this is no slow-burn saga. The battle for Matanovic’s signature is hurtling towards a decisive finish – and it may yet define how United attack the rest of their season.
