United Prepare for Zirkzee Exit as Matanovic Emerges

Manchester United are starting to plan without Joshua Zirkzee. Not in theory. In practice.

The Dutch forward is edging towards the Old Trafford door after a bruising spell in England that never really caught fire: nine goals in 75 appearances tell their own story. Talks with Fiorentina are advancing over a season-long loan, and those close to the deal believe the Italian side are confident of getting it done before the window shuts.

Once Zirkzee goes, the gap down the middle becomes impossible to ignore.

Matanovic moves to the top of the list

Into that space steps a very different kind of No 9. Standing 6ft 5in, Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic has been identified as the ideal replacement, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 23-year-old only joined Freiburg last season in a £6.9m move from Eintracht Frankfurt, but he has wasted little time justifying the investment. Fifteen goals in all competitions in his debut campaign, leading the line for Julian Schuster’s side as they pushed all the way to the Europa League final before falling to Aston Villa.

No trophy, but a statement. Clubs noticed.

United’s recruitment team certainly did. Michael Carrick wants more presence and penalty-box punch after watching his side labour in a shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City, a game that laid bare the lack of a ruthless edge up front. The recent sale of Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli has only deepened that sense of vulnerability through the middle, even with Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba bedding in well behind the forwards.

A striker who can bully centre-backs, attack crosses and still run channels has moved from wish-list luxury to urgent requirement.

Tottenham and Fiorentina crowd the field

United, though, are not alone at the table.

Tottenham have also registered strong interest in Matanovic. Roberto De Zerbi is keen to add height and variety to a frontline that already includes Dominic Solanke and Richarlison. He wants a different reference point, someone who can change the rhythm of a game in one aerial duel.

That would already make this a complicated chase. Fiorentina turn it into a full-blown tangle.

Fabio Grosso’s side are pushing hard for Zirkzee as they look to refresh their attack, but their recruitment plan carries a built-in pivot. Alongside the Dutchman, they have Matanovic on their list as a potential alternative. They need a replacement for Moise Kean, who is set to head to Cesc Fabregas’ Como project, and they are actively scouring the market for the right profile.

If talks for Zirkzee stall or collapse, Fiorentina are ready to swing decisively towards the Freiburg forward. One hesitation in negotiations, one change in price or structure, and the Italian club could suddenly be bidding against United and Spurs for the same man.

From orderly pursuit to three-way bidding war in a heartbeat.

United’s window hinges on Zirkzee

For United, everything loops back to Zirkzee.

His loan to Fiorentina would not only clear a squad place, it would release the financial headroom needed to go hard for Matanovic before Tuesday’s deadline. The hierarchy know they cannot afford to drift into the autumn light in central areas, not after already cashing in on Hojlund.

The timing is delicate. Move too slowly on Zirkzee and Fiorentina may simply flip their attention to Matanovic. Move too slowly on Matanovic and Tottenham, with their Premier League money and De Zerbi’s pull, could steal a march. United are walking a narrow line where hesitation looks expensive.

A Mandzukic echo

Matanovic’s rise has not been subtle. His performances for club and country have pushed him firmly into the spotlight, even if his summer World Cup left him without a goal from three appearances. The numbers there did not sparkle, but his all-round play turned heads, and he has started the new season as if determined to erase any doubts.

A recent brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal win over Dusseldorf underlined that momentum. He looked sharp, aggressive, ready for a bigger platform.

Comparisons with Mario Mandzukic are already following him: the relentless movement, the aerial dominance, the willingness to fight for every ball. Those echoes only add to the sense that this is a striker built for the demands of the Premier League, or for a Serie A side looking to reassert itself.

For United, landing him would signal a clear shift back towards a more physical, old-fashioned focal point, the kind of centre-forward who can change the tone of a match with a single duel. For Tottenham and Fiorentina, he represents the same thing: a statement piece for the spine of the team.

Deadline day is closing in. One towering Croatian, three ambitious clubs, and a transfer race that could shape their seasons. Who blinks first?