Manchester United Eye Matanovic as Zirkzee Exit Looms

Manchester United’s summer was supposed to be about fixing the midfield. It still is – but a potential twist up front is forcing a rethink at Old Trafford.

With Joshua Zirkzee’s future increasingly uncertain, United have joined Tottenham and Fiorentina in the race for Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, according to multiple reports. The Croatian forward, who hit 11 Bundesliga goals last season, is suddenly central to a late-window reshuffle involving three clubs and two leagues.

Zirkzee domino puts No. 9 back on the agenda

INEOS had set out a clear plan: strengthen midfield, tidy up the squad, and leave the striker department largely untouched unless something dramatic happened. That “something” might now be Zirkzee.

Reliable reporter Ben Jacobs has made it clear that United’s hierarchy are prepared to move for a new No. 9 if the Dutchman leaves in the final stretch of the window. Speaking to Betway Insider, Jacobs explained that while a left-back remains the priority, United are “alert” to the striker market and ready to react if Zirkzee goes.

That possibility is no longer theoretical. With Como closing in on Moise Kean, Fiorentina have moved into what Fabrizio Romano describes as “advanced talks” to sign Zirkzee from United. If that deal crosses the line, the pressure on Old Trafford to replace him will spike immediately.

Matanovic: Croatia’s ‘heir to Mandzukic’ in demand

Enter Igor Matanovic.

Thursday’s print edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, relayed by Sport Witness, reports that Fiorentina are also tracking the Freiburg forward. The Italian side see a deal as “difficult but not impossible” – and the reason it is difficult is the growing interest from England.

Both Manchester United and Tottenham are now in the frame for the 21-year-old, who has been tagged in Croatia as the “heir to Mario Mandzukic” because of his style and presence in the box. His 11-goal Bundesliga campaign has not gone unnoticed, and his profile fits the modern Premier League brief: physical, mobile, and still with plenty of upside.

The picture is starting to take shape. Omar Marmoush is heading towards Tottenham. Fiorentina are getting serious about Zirkzee. That combination could open a cleaner route for United to go hard for Matanovic if they decide he is the man to fill the gap.

Midfield done, but United’s window isn’t

All of this striker noise comes against the backdrop of a midfield rebuild that has already been executed with purpose.

United identified the middle of the pitch as the main area to upgrade and moved quickly: Carlos Baleba arrived from Brighton, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, and Andrey Santos from Chelsea. Three different profiles, one clear objective – give the manager more control, legs, and variety in midfield.

They have also quietly reshaped the depth chart elsewhere. Karl Darlow has joined as a back-up goalkeeper on a free transfer, while young Tottenham defender Tynan Thompson has come in for around £8m as a longer-term project.

Rumours persist that United could still look at a left-back, a left-winger and a striker before the window shuts. Of those, left-back is the one consistently described as the live issue.

Left-back: Balde, loans and the Lewis Hall plan

At full-back, United are still weighing up whether to act now or wait for the player they really want.

Jacobs says Alejandro Balde has been offered around, with Barcelona understood to be open to a sale at about €45m. On paper, that’s a rare opportunity: a young, high-ceiling left-back from one of Europe’s giants, available for a defined fee.

United, though, are not convinced an outright purchase is the smartest play this late in the window. The preference, according to Jacobs, would be a loan – ideally with an option to buy – which would protect their flexibility for 2027, when they are expected to make a serious push for their long-term top target, Lewis Hall.

Hall is not thought to be available this late in the window, which leaves United with a choice. Do they commit big money now and potentially complicate a future move for Hall? Or do they bring in a stopgap, accept a short-term fix, and keep their powder dry for next year?

Balde remains one to watch, but Jacobs is clear: nothing has advanced yet. Other names – Jorge Salinas and David Raum – have been offered as options, underlining how active the market is in that position. United, so far, are biding their time.

A window on the brink

So United stand here: midfield reinforced, a back-up keeper secured, a young defender in the door – but the window still feels incomplete.

If Fiorentina close Zirkzee, the striker question explodes into life. If Barcelona soften on a loan structure for Balde, the left-back conundrum changes overnight. If neither happens, INEOS may simply sit tight and refuse to be dragged into late, panicked deals.

Matanovic, Zirkzee, Balde, Hall – four names that could define how this window is remembered at Old Trafford. The clock is ticking. Which position blinks first?