Freiburg Stand Firm as United Eye Igor Matanovic
Manchester United have reportedly made an enquiry over Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, 23, as they weigh up a possible move for the Croatian in the January 2027 window. The interest marks a fresh attempt to land a player the Red Devils failed to sign last summer.
The claim comes from journalist Ben Jacobs, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, who said Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the two clubs he has heard have made enquiries for the forward.
Why United are looking again
United thought they had sorted their centre-forward problem when they signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last summer, but the Slovenian has managed just 14 goals and one assist in 38 appearances since arriving. He missed the back end of last season and the whole of pre-season through injury, and Michael Carrick has mostly used him from the bench this term, with a knock also ruling him out of the 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Joshua Zirkzee, meanwhile, remains at Old Trafford after a proposed exit failed to materialise, and the Dutchman has yet to start a game this season. United considered strengthening the position during the summer but did not complete a deal for a striker, and Matanovic was among the names considered.
Jacobs on the obstacles
Jacobs was clear that getting Matanovic out of Freiburg mid-season won’t be straightforward, telling The Peoples Person: “Matanovic is not going to be easy to get out of Freiburg mid-season. He has scored, I believe, six goals in seven games this season and 15 in all competitions in the last campaign. And that’s why a lot of European and English clubs are starting to look. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the two that I have heard who have made enquiries, but I would personally be surprised if Freiburg sanction a mid-season exit.”
The numbers behind the interest
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| Bundesliga | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Conference League Qual. | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| DFB-Pokal | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total 2026/27 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
That total of six goals and two assists from seven appearances follows a breakout 2025/26 campaign in which Matanovic scored 15 times in 50 appearances for Freiburg, per Transfermarkt figures.
Spurs in the mix too
United won’t have it to themselves. Tottenham have also made an enquiry, according to Jacobs, and Freiburg’s general reluctance to sell a key forward mid-season applies just as much to Spurs’ interest as it does to United’s.
Whether an enquiry turns into a formal move remains an open question. Jacobs’ reporting leaves plenty of doubt over whether Freiburg budge in January, and it’s a scenario United have found themselves in before when chasing a striker mid-window. For now, Matanovic’s form is the only certainty.
