United Prepare for Zirkzee Departure as Matanovic Interest Grows
Manchester United are already living in the afterglow of Joshua Zirkzee’s time at Old Trafford. The Dutch forward is still on the books, but the club are planning as if he has gone, and the market can sense it.
Zirkzee, who arrived with promise but never quite imposed himself, is pushing to leave after a bruising spell in England: nine goals in 75 appearances tell its own story. A return to Serie A now looms large, with Fiorentina advancing talks over a season-long loan and growing in confidence that a deal will be done.
His likely departure has left Michael Carrick hunting for a new focal point. United’s attack already looked blunt in their shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City, and that performance only sharpened the urgency. Rasmus Hojlund has been sold to Napoli, leaving the squad light through the middle. Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba have added control in midfield, but there is no cutting edge to finish the moves they help build.
A towering solution
At 6ft 5in, Matanovic offers the kind of physical presence United simply do not have up front. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club view the Freiburg striker as the ideal candidate to lead a new-look frontline.
The 23-year-old has just delivered a breakout first season in Germany after his £6.9m switch from Eintracht Frankfurt. Fifteen goals in all competitions under Julian Schuster underlined his potential, and he came within one game of capping it with a European trophy before Freiburg fell to Aston Villa in the Europa League final.
His stock has risen again at the start of this campaign. Matanovic may have drawn a blank in three appearances at the summer’s World Cup, but he has returned to club football in ruthless mood, including a sharp brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal win over Dusseldorf. The message was clear: he is ready for a bigger stage.
Spurs step into the ring
United, though, are not alone. Far from it.
Tottenham have moved into the picture with intent, with Roberto De Zerbi keen to add height and aggression to a forward line that already includes Dominic Solanke and Richarlison. For a coach who thrives on verticality and direct pressure in the final third, a 6ft 5in striker who can bully centre-backs and attack crosses has obvious appeal.
That interest turns United’s pursuit into a genuine contest. Any hesitation at Old Trafford, any delay in offloading Zirkzee and freeing up funds, risks opening the door to Spurs.
Fiorentina’s domino play
And then comes the twist.
Fiorentina are not just circling Zirkzee. Fabio Grosso’s side have also identified Matanovic as a potential alternative target as they scour the market to replace Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas at Como.
If talks for Zirkzee stall, La Viola are ready to pivot. Matanovic is high on their list, and that single decision could ignite a three-way bidding war between United, Tottenham and Fiorentina in the final hours before Tuesday’s deadline.
The dominoes are lined up: Kean to Como, Zirkzee to Florence, Matanovic to… whoever moves fastest.
United’s turning point up front
For United, this is more than a routine striker chase. It is a chance to redefine the profile of their number nine.
Matanovic brings a Mandzukic-style template: aggressive, aerially dominant, relentless in duels. Comparisons to Mario Mandzukic have followed him as his game has matured, and they are not just lazy shorthand. He offers a platform, a reference point, a target who can pin defenders and drag a team up the pitch.
Carrick’s side have lacked that kind of presence. The Hull defeat underlined it brutally. They could build, they could probe, but they could not hurt. A striker like Matanovic changes the geometry of attacks, changes the way opponents defend set pieces, changes the mood in both penalty areas.
All of it, though, hinges on Zirkzee’s exit. Negotiations with Fiorentina are progressing, and a season-long loan would clear both squad space and budget. Only then can United move from admiration to action and lodge a formal bid before the window shuts.
Tottenham are lurking. Fiorentina are poised to pivot if they must. Matanovic is scoring, growing, and drawing comparisons with a Croatian great.
Deadline day often produces noise without consequence. This time, the battle for one towering Croatian could shape the entire season for three clubs.
