After finishing third in the Premier League last campaign, there was a huge feel-good factor around Old Trafford with many tipping Manchester United to challenge for the title in 2026/27.
However, just five games into the new season, it’s safe to say such a feeling has evaporated after the Red Devils only managed to claim one win during such a period.
As a result, the club sit in 12th position after the first international break of the campaign, and has already seen a 10-point gap open up to leaders Manchester City.
The absence of one player has certainly cost Michael Carrick’s side in key moments, with his injury issues preventing the side from making a positive start to the new campaign.
The latest on Benjamin Sesko’s injury issues
Despite only just returning from injury, the United supporters will have to face the prospect of centre-forward Benjamin Sesko spending another period on the sidelines.
The Slovenian international has failed to start a single game so far this campaign, with all four of his appearances in the Premier League coming off the substitutes bench.
However, the 23-year-old has suffered a recurrence of his shin injury, which saw him miss a huge chunk of the Red Devils’ recent pre-season tour.
He’s since not travelled with his national team for the current international break, with further tests expected in the days ahead to see if any resolution can be found.
It’s unclear how long such a move could rule the centre-forward out for, but it’s clear that Carrick is facing the prospect of returning to the Premier League without his key talisman.
Why United need another striker after Sesko blow
With the transfer window now closed until January at the very least, Carrick will have to work with the options at his disposal to help soften the blow of Sesko’s injury setback.
Joshua Zirkzee is the only other senior striking option who could fill the void at Old Trafford, but it’s safe to say he’s a player who can’t be trusted within the final third.
The Dutchman has only featured for 20 minutes in the Premier League this campaign, with the vast majority of his minutes coming in the cup competitions.
He’s yet to score this season, with Matheus Cunha often being preferred to the Dutchman as a false nine within Carrick’s system during the early stages of 2026/27.
Such a decision has undoubtedly forced the Brazilian to operate in an unnatural position, resulting in the former Wolves man only scoring once in England’s top-flight this term.
How United can land another centre-forward for Carrick
Even though the United hierarchy will be unable to add another attacking option for another three months, it appears as though transfer targets are already being drawn up.
After failing to add another attacking option during the summer window, the need for added bodies in such an area has only increased after Sesko’s recent injury.
As a result, Freiburg star Igor Matanović has emerged as a possible target for the upcoming winter window, with Ben Jacobs providing the latest on the chase.
On GiveMeSport’s YouTube channel, the journalist stated: “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.
“Manchester United and Tottenham 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 interest in the Croatian international is hardly a surprise as the 23-year-old has become a regular for the Bundesliga side and often produced the goods in attacking areas.
His stats from the recent season showcase why the £30m man could be a superb addition to Carrick’s squad and offer a better option than Sesko within forward areas.
In his four league outings already this campaign, Matanovic has already registered an incredible average of 2.5 shots on target per 90 – ranking him in the top 5% of strikers in Europe this term.
|
Most goals scored by CFs in the Bundesliga (2026/27) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Club |
Goals |
|
Patrik Schick |
Bayer Leverkusen |
4 |
|
Younes Ebnoutalib |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
4 |
|
Yuito Suzuki |
Freiburg |
4 |
|
Phillip Tietz |
Mainz |
4 |
|
Michael Gregoritsch |
Augsburg |
3 |
|
Harry Kane |
Bayern Munich |
3 |
|
Niclas Füllkrug |
Werder Bremen |
3 |
|
Jonathan Burkardt |
Eintracht Frankfurt |
3 |
|
Igor Matanović |
Freiburg |
3 |
He’s also placed 60% of the shots he’s taken on target this campaign, with both of his subsequent tallies way above those produced by Sesko during his time in Manchester.
The Freiburg star’s dominance over the Slovenian international is further evident in their respective aerials won, with the Croatian able to hand Carrick a more effective option in attacking areas.
It’s unclear how likely a move for the Freiburg star will be in the months ahead, but it’s clear he’s a player who the United hierarchy are huge admirers of.
It could prove to be an expensive deal to complete, but it could be worth every penny if he can offer a long-term fix to the current number nine issues at Old Trafford.
