Manchester United have now submitted an enquiry regarding a deal for SC Freiburg striker Igor Matanovic, as an alternative to Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen.

Joshua Zirkzee has enjoyed a relatively impressive pre-season, with the Dutchman scoring in the 1-1 draw against Leeds United, which the Red Devils went on to win on penalties, but Michael Carrick's side remain keen on signing a new centre-forward.

Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen is among the targets, and there is a belief the former Napoli man would be willing to make the move to Old Trafford.

However, Matanovic, who has been lauded as "wonderful" by scout Jacek Kulig, has also emerged as an option, with United recently holding internal talks regarding a deal for the Freiburg star, who was on the scoresheet 11 times in the Bundesliga last season.

It was a real break-out season for the Croatian, who scored just one Bundesliga goal for Eintracht Frankfurt in the season prior, although Osimhen was more prolific for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig last term.

However, with the Galatasaray star making more than £300,000-a-week in Turkey, his wage demands could be very high, and United have started looking at alternative options.

Man Utd submit enquiry to sign Igor Matanovic

Manchester United have now lodged an initial enquiry regarding a deal for Matanovic, Football FanCast sources understand, as they aim to gather information on what it might take to complete a deal. They are, however, joined in their pursuit of the player by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

Juventus were previously in advanced talks to sign the 12-cap Croatia international for £30m, which provides a reference point as to how much he could cost, should the Red Devils decide to ramp up their pursuit.

Carrick's current midfield options include Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko, while Marcus Rashford is also able to play through the middle, but Wayne Rooney has suggested the England international must improve if he is going to re-establish himself at Old Trafford.

Rooney said: “Marcus’ body language, even when he came on [vs Milan], his body language isn’t great. So it might be something he has to work on. He might have to work with someone to make his body language look better. I think his work rate has to improve, but if he wants to be at the football club, he just needs to knuckle down.”

“I don’t want to see Marcus Rashford doing well at Aston Villa or Barcelona, I want to see him do well at Manchester United and scoring goals for Man United. But that means he has to get his head down, work his socks off and then be more positive. Play with a smile on his face.”