Matanovic rules out deadline day Man Utd move as Zirkzee eyes Juventus loan

Igor Matanovic has distanced himself from a deadline day transfer to Manchester United, telling reporters there has been “absolutely no contact with anyone” from his side regarding a move to the Premier League.

The Freiburg forward had been linked with Old Trafford earlier in the summer, with United manager Michael Carrick reportedly keen to strengthen his attacking options. Tottenham were also said to have shown interest in the 23-year-old, but Matanovic made clear he is focused on life in the Bundesliga.

“As far as I’m concerned, I’m currently at Freiburg,” he said. “There has been absolutely no contact with anyone from my side.”

Matanovic joined Freiburg last summer after earlier spells at St Pauli, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Karlsruher, and quickly established himself as one of the division’s more reliable finishers. He scored 15 goals across an impressive debut campaign and has already netted three times in as many appearances this season. He credited the move as a turning point in his career, noting it also helped him earn a World Cup call-up.

“Yes, of course. The answer is obvious. It was a huge step,” he said when asked whether joining Freiburg ranked among the best decisions of his career. “Thanks to Freiburg, I also made it to the World Cup, which was a tremendous success for me as a young player.”

His comments arrive at a turbulent moment for United’s forward line. Rasmus Hojlund has completed a permanent move to Napoli following a successful loan spell in Serie A, and Joshua Zirkzee is now expected to follow him to Italy, with Juventus closing in on a loan deal for the Dutch striker before the window shuts. Should Zirkzee depart, Carrick would be left with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko as his central striking options.

Despite the thinning options up front, a striker does not appear to be United’s primary deadline day target. A left-back remains the club’s most pressing need, with Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas both linked as potential arrivals before the window closes.