​Manchester United have renewed their interest in Julian Ryerson, establishing fresh contact over a potential summer move. The Borussia Dortmund full-back had previously been on United’s radar earlier in the year, and his performances on the global stage have now rekindled the pursuit. His displays for Norway have drawn considerable attention, with Ryerson delivering what many regarded as his best performance in the shock World Cup round-of-16 victory over Brazil. In that match, he largely kept Vinicius Junior in check through a disciplined and relentless display, often going unnoticed amid the surrounding hype surrounding Erling Haaland.
The renewed approach was reported by the German outlet BILD, which claimed that Michael Carrick’s side had again reached out to the 28-year-old’s representatives. The update also noted that several other leading European clubs are tracking Ryerson, underscoring the widespread interest in his profile. For United, the move would address a clear positional need. The club have been in pursuit of a conventional right-back, a slot that has been unsettled by Noussair Mazraoui’s fitness problems and by Diogo Dalot’s attacking output failing to meet expectations. Ryerson’s numbers offer a level of creativity and productivity that United have been seeking from the position.
Creativity is one of Ryerson’s standout attributes. In the previous season, he provided 15 assists in the Bundesliga, a figure surpassed only by Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, and he tallied 18 assists across all competitions. Such end-product from the full-back position makes him a relatively rare commodity in the modern game. Dortmund, however, appear keen to retain him. The German club view Ryerson as a key leader within their squad and plan to begin contract discussions once the World Cup concludes. He is currently tied to Signal Iduna Park through 2028.
A sale, though, is not out of the question. Dortmund are understood to be seeking a substantial transfer fee, with reports suggesting an asking price exceeding €30m (£25.6m) as a condition for parting with him. That would represent a substantial return on the €5m Dortmund paid Union Berlin for Ryerson in 2023. Any potential deal may hinge on United’s broader transfer strategy. As with several of their targets, Ryerson’s future could depend on how swiftly Carrick’s midfield rebuild progresses after what has been a frustrating transfer window.
Read more about Manchester United’s plans, including details about the location for their new 100,000-seat stadium, and follow ongoing developments in the club’s transfer activity. Also see related coverage on other potential signings and how these moves might fit into United’s wider squad-building strategy in the near future.