United Prepare for Zirkzee Exit as Matanovic Emerges as Key Target
Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Old Trafford is drifting towards its conclusion, and United are already moving the pieces for what comes next.
The Dutch forward, once a marquee hope, has never truly caught fire in England. Nine goals in 75 appearances tell the story of a stop-start spell, and with Fiorentina pushing hard to take him back to Serie A, both player and club look ready to cut ties. Talks over a season-long loan are progressing, and the Italian side are confident they can get it over the line before the window closes.
That potential departure has left Michael Carrick staring at a familiar problem: a United side short of presence and punch through the middle.
Matanovic moves to the top of the list
Into that gap steps a very modern No 9 with an old-school frame. Standing at 6ft 5in, Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic has been identified in Italy as United’s preferred replacement. La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the 23-year-old has emerged as the leading candidate to inherit the role Zirkzee never quite made his own.
Matanovic has just come off a breakout debut season with Freiburg after a £6.9m move from Eintracht Frankfurt, hitting 15 goals in all competitions and driving Julian Schuster’s side all the way to the Europa League final, where they fell to Aston Villa. No trophy, but plenty of notice.
His start to the new campaign has only sharpened that interest. He didn’t score in three outings at the summer World Cup, yet he has returned to club football in ruthless mood, including a brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal win over Dusseldorf that underlined a striker ready for a bigger stage and a heavier shirt.
Tottenham join the hunt
United are not alone at the table. Far from it.
Tottenham have also moved into position, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to add more height and variety to a frontline that already includes Dominic Solanke and Richarlison. Spurs see Matanovic as a profile they do not currently possess in abundance: a towering focal point who can occupy centre-backs, attack crosses and still contribute in open play.
That interest turns United’s pursuit into a straight fight with a Premier League rival, at a time when Carrick’s squad has already taken a hit in the centre-forward department.
Rasmus Hojlund’s sale to Napoli has left United light in central areas. Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba have been smoothly integrated into midfield, but the lack of a ruthless finisher was laid bare in a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City. United moved the ball, created phases, but lacked the cold edge in the box. It stung. It also clarified the shopping list.
Fiorentina’s domino and a looming bidding war
Complicating everything is Fiorentina’s own plan up front.
Fabio Grosso’s side are not just chasing Zirkzee; they have also earmarked Matanovic as an alternative if talks for the Dutchman stall. La Viola need a replacement for Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas at Como, and they are scouring the market for a striker who can lead their next phase.
If Fiorentina fail to close the deal for Zirkzee, their attention is expected to swing firmly towards Matanovic. That would turn an already tense situation into a three-way fight between United, Tottenham and the Serie A club, with the clock ticking down towards Tuesday’s deadline.
For United, the equation is brutally simple. Move Zirkzee out, free up the wages and the squad space, and then go hard for Matanovic. Delay, and they risk being outflanked by rivals with the same target and the same need.
A new look up front?
Matanovic’s profile offers something different to what United have tried in recent seasons. He is tall, aggressive, and increasingly clinical, drawing comparisons in some quarters to Mario Mandzukic for his blend of physicality and penalty-box menace. A signing like that would signal a shift towards a more imposing, direct presence at the tip of Carrick’s system.
United want that edge back. Tottenham want the same thing. Fiorentina might yet decide they do too.
As the deadline approaches, one question hangs over the market: who wins the race for the 6ft 5in Croatian that everyone suddenly seems to need?
