United Target Matanovic as Zirkzee Exit Looms

United are bracing for life without Joshua Zirkzee – and the clock is ticking.

The Dutch forward is edging towards the Old Trafford exit after a stuttering spell in England, where he returned just nine goals in 75 appearances. Talks over a move back to Serie A are advancing, with Fiorentina pushing hardest, and that leaves Michael Carrick staring at a glaring hole at the top of his team.

United think they’ve found the man to fill it.

United turn to Matanovic as Zirkzee nears exit

At 6ft 5in, Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic offers exactly the kind of physical presence United have been missing. La Gazzetta dello Sport report that the 23-year-old has emerged as the club’s leading target to replace Zirkzee.

Matanovic arrives on the radar off the back of a breakout first season with Freiburg, following his £6.9m switch from Eintracht Frankfurt. He hit 15 goals in all competitions and came within touching distance of a major trophy, only to see Julian Schuster’s side fall to Aston Villa in the Europa League final.

That campaign has changed his status. He is no longer a prospect. He is a centre-forward in demand.

Tottenham join the chase

United are not alone. Tottenham have also moved into position, with strong interest in the Croatian international.

Roberto De Zerbi wants more aerial threat and penalty-box power in his front line, even with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison already on the books. Matanovic, with his frame and aggressive style, fits that brief and would give Spurs a very different option to what they currently have.

The result is simple: any bid from United will not go unchallenged.

Fiorentina at the heart of the domino chain

Fiorentina sit right in the middle of this transfer web. They are leading the race for Zirkzee on a season-long loan and, at the same time, keeping Matanovic in their sights.

Fabio Grosso’s side need a replacement for Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas at Como. La Viola are scouring the market and see Matanovic as a viable alternative if they cannot get Zirkzee over the line.

If talks for the Dutchman stall, Fiorentina could swing their attention fully towards the Freiburg striker. That shift would instantly set up a three-way fight with United and Spurs, and turn Matanovic into one of the headline stories of deadline day.

United’s reshuffle up front

United’s pursuit of a new number nine comes against the backdrop of a wider rebuild.

Rasmus Hojlund has already been sold to Napoli, leaving Carrick light through the middle. Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba have added quality and control to midfield, but the lack of a ruthless finisher was brutally exposed in a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City.

For United, moving Zirkzee on is not just about a fresh start. Negotiations over his exit are progressing, and Fiorentina are confident of landing him on loan. If that deal lands, it will open both space in the squad and room in the budget for United to move decisively for Matanovic before Tuesday’s deadline.

A striker on the rise

Matanovic’s stock has climbed sharply over the past year, for both club and country. He failed to score in three appearances at the summer’s World Cup, but his response at the start of the new season has been emphatic.

He has started in blistering form, including a brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal win over Dusseldorf, underlining that he is ready for a bigger stage and a heavier shirt.

For United, his arrival would mark a clear stylistic shift: a more physical, Mandzukic-style focal point to build around, someone to bully centre-backs and finish the chances their revamped midfield can create.

Tottenham are lurking. Fiorentina are calculating their next move. With comparisons to Mario Mandzukic swirling and a deadline looming, the battle for Igor Matanovic’s signature is shaping up to define the final days of this window – and maybe the direction of United’s season.