Who is Igor Matanovic - and why are Man Utd obessed with him?

Updated: 14 Sept 2026 21:13 BST | 9 min read

Igor Matanovic, SC Freiburg, 2026/27 — © IMAGO

Tom Weber | Writer

Make us your Google favourite

Manchester United are once again being linked with SC Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, and the reason why is exceedingly simple.

Article continues under the video

The Croatia international has had his moments in the limelight this year - not always in a positive sense - but he is still a relatively obscure name outside of the Bundesliga.

Matanovic started for Freiburg in their Europa League final loss to Aston Villa, but he barely touched the ball as the German side were thoroughly outplayed. His experience at the World Cup also wasn't particularly enjoyable.

Current ETV

Igor Matanovic

F (C)

SC Freiburg

Igor Matanovic

F (C)

SC Freiburg

ETV Range

€7.7M - €10.4M

The 23-year-old found himself at the heart of the ball sensor controversy that denied Croatia a last-minute equaliser in their round of 32 clash with Portugal and saw the country exit the tournament under a cloud.

Despite these setbacks, 2026 has, on the whole, been an incredibly successful year for him. Eyebrows were raised when Freiburg paid a sizeable €6.7 million for a striker with only one impressive second-division season of senior football under his belt, but it now looks like an incredible bargain.

Matanovic scores goals

Matanovic didn't get off to a rip-roaring start to life at Freiburg last year, but he eventually found his feet and quickly became a fan favourite. Ultimately, he would finish his debut campaign in the Breisgau with 15 goals in all competitions, 12 of them coming after the turn of the year.

Instead of dwelling on his World Cup disappointment, he has picked up right where he left off last season. Matanovic has already bagged six goals in six games for Freiburg, playing a crucial role in the club's impressive 100% start to the new campaign.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg)

Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund are the only teams to have won three out of three Bundesliga games, and the former are currently top of the table. Of course, they likely won't be there come the end of the season, but it is illustrative of the club's incredible development in recent years.

Matanovic's importance has steadily increased, with the 23-year-old now being the team's undisputed starting striker. He may not be the most technically sophisticated player, but he's effective.

Standing at 6 ft 5 in, he is an ideal target man, but he can also combine with his teammates. Matanovic is in the 94th percentile of strikers in terms of aerial duels won, which, naturally, also makes him an asset on defensive set-pieces.

Matanovic interest ramping up

Bigger clubs are starting to take note of his exploits. In the summer, Ben Jacobs reported that Man Utd and Tottenham had discussed Matanovic as a possible target for their respective backup striker roles.

However, neither club ultimately made a move. Man Utd didn't need to sign a new forward as Joshua Zirkzee stayed put despite significant interest from Serie A and Everton.

According to data analytics firm SciSports, Matanovic would already be an upgrade on Zirkzee. Given that he is only 23, he also still has room to grow. His shot selection and accuracy, in particular, can be improved.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg)

According to fussball-news.de, Man Utd and Spurs are still keen on the towering striker and have been monitoring him "for some time."

His physicality appeals to both clubs, and there is a consensus among his suitors that he would feel right at home in the Premier League. Michael Carrick, in particular, is said to be a big fan of his profile.

Neither club is considering an offer at this stage, but their interest could develop if he keeps performing. Despite not being a high-profile name, Matanovic wouldn't come cheap, with Freiburg said to be demanding as much as €40 million.

The Bundesliga side have been good sellers in recent years and are under no pressure to cash in on their star striker. Nevertheless, he will be one to keep an eye on going forward.