Man Utd Target Igor Matanovic Can Be Dimitar Berbatov 2.0

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Manchester United chiefs explored a move for the SC Freiburg man this summer, but that deal was stopped with Joshua Zirkzee staying at Old Trafford.

Manchester United face growing competition should they still be keen on signing SC Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic during the upcoming transfer windows.

The Red Devils were credited with interest in the summer and talks were held internally at Old Trafford over the final four weeks of the market. The Croatian giant was viewed as a potential replacement for Joshua Zirkzee but the Dutchman remained at the club and a move for Matanovic was not pursued.

That doesn't spell the end of Man Utd interest in the striker, who has been in blistering form so far this season, and Michael Carrick's side must not let a quiet performance for Croatia against England on Saturday night sway their conviction.

Over the weekend, CaughtOffside report that Arsenal and Chelsea are now both also making 'regular checks' on Matanovic, with other big European sides also having heads turned by the player.

The bagsman has already scored six goals and added two assists in the opening seven games across all competitions this term. Those are impressive numbers which have seen the player's stock rise.

The latest report claims that SC Freiburg will demand £50 million for Matanovic, who is under contract in Germany until 2029. Freiburg paid just over £5 million to sign the forward from Eintracht Frankfurt and the forward went on to net 15 goals across all competitions last term.

It feels likely that Zirkzee will finally make his move away from Old Trafford either in January or next summer, and there's good reason to believe that Matanovic is indeed the man to take his place.

The Croatian has all the hallmarks of a striker who is capable of making the transition to the Premier League. The player's goal record speaks for itself, and he has both the physicality and the technicality to make the adjustment.

Matanovic stands at a huge 6 feet and 5 inches, making him an imposing presence. The striker has the ability to barnstorm through defences, but prides himself on offering much more than that.

In 2024, in an interview while still with Eintracht Frankfurt, Matanovic was asked about his strengths and said : > "My physicality and power going forward. > > "Scoring goals is my job; the drive towards goal is in my blood. > > "But I also have to be there for the guys – in the box for crosses, but also assert myself in tight spaces and lay the ball off. > > "I've developed a lot in that area and learned a lot over the last year. I also want to bring some Balkan mentality to the team, which has already been present here – I'll always give my all on the pitch."

There are a lot of similarities between Matanovic and former Man Utd striker Dimitar Berbatov. Both are imposing and tall strikers, but have cultivated a reputation for what they do with their feet.

It was those skills that helped the Bulgarian when making the transition from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen to the Premier League in 2006. The Bulgarian would go on to score 94 goals in the top flight, and 56 times across all competitions for the Red Devils.

Neither Berbatov nor Matanovic are known for their pace and, while the Premier League has a reputation for the speed of the game, both have attributes that may be even more important.

Speaking about Berbatov when he arrived at Spurs, former manager Chris Hughton said: > "Where his qualities are is the way he can manoeuvre the ball and his feel for it, plus his runs. He is somebody that does it at his own pace, he is not lightning quick, but when he runs with the ball he has got the ability to go past people. > > "You see the times when he runs close to the touchline, he has such good awareness of the players around him that he is able to keep hold of it. He has certainly got better and better and stronger and stronger as the season has gone on."

Carrick already has dynamism in Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford and Matheus Cunha - Matanovic could bring something more retro to the Red Devils, and be the missing puzzle piece.

He would be one of Manchester United's best ever transfers

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