Manchester United Track Freiburg Striker Igor Matanovic for Premier League Move
Manchester United are tracking Freiburg forward Igor Matanovic as Michael Carrick looks to add a specialist centre-forward to his options at Old Trafford. The Croatia international is understood to be keen on a Premier League move, although Freiburg are not expected to entertain a sale during the January window.
United assess their forward depth
Benjamin Sesko remains United’s only established senior out-and-out striker, but shin problems have disrupted his season. Matheus Cunha and Joshua Zirkzee are both capable of playing through the middle, yet neither is viewed as a conventional focal-point forward.
That situation has increased the club’s interest in recruiting a reliable No 9. Carrick wants greater depth in an attack that must carry United through the remainder of the campaign on several fronts, with Sesko’s fitness likely to remain an important factor.
- Sesko is the squad’s sole natural senior centre-forward.
- Cunha and Zirkzee can fill in centrally but offer different profiles.
- United are monitoring Matanovic as a possible long-term addition to the front line.
- Arsenal and Chelsea are also watching the Freiburg attacker.
Matanovic’s Freiburg form draws attention
Matanovic joined Freiburg in the summer of 2025 and has made a strong impact in Germany. Across all competitions, the 23-year-old has recorded 21 goals and six assists in 57 appearances.
His start to the present season has been particularly productive, with six goals and two assists from seven matches. The forward’s output, combined with his physical centre-forward profile, has placed him on the radar of leading English clubs.
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Freiburg appearances | 57 |
| Goals for Freiburg | 21 |
| Assists for Freiburg | 6 |
| Current-season record | 6 goals, 2 assists in 7 matches |
Matanovic is said to be enthusiastic about the prospect of joining United and testing himself in England’s top division. However, interest from Old Trafford is not expected to make negotiations straightforward.
Freiburg set their terms
Freiburg hold a strong position over their leading forward and are under no immediate need to raise funds. A mid-season exit is effectively off the table, with the Bundesliga club expected to reject approaches during the current campaign.
Any eventual deal is likely to require an offer in the region of £50 million. United may therefore need to wait until the summer of 2027 before making a serious attempt to sign Matanovic.
For now, Carrick and the club’s recruitment staff will continue to follow his Bundesliga performances. Should his scoring run continue, competition for his signature could intensify, while United rely on Sesko and their existing attacking group for the rest of the season.
