Man Utd keen to sign the ‘assist king’ who’s outper… — and more

Manchester United have reportedly set their eyes on Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, who would provide serious competition for Diogo Dalot down the right flank.

The Portuguese right-back has been a mainstay at MUFC for several years. But while many fans and observers have been praising his improved displays this season, many would argue that the club needs to strengthen this role by signing a top-notch player.

According to Bild, Man Utd have identified Ryerson as the right candidate for the role. The Norwegian was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in recent months. However, his future could lie in the Premier League, as United and Newcastle have both emerged as suitors, reports the famous German newspaper.

This confirms earlier reports that linked the Old Trafford outfit with Ryerson.

Man United register their interest in Julian Ryerson

Ryerson started his career at his hometown club of Lyngdal before joining Viking FK’s academy. He has been playing his football in Germany since 2018, when he signed for Union Berlin.

After rising to stardom during his spell in the German capital, Dortmund pounced for his services in January 2023, paying €5 million to secure his signature. He remains tied to the Bundesliga giants with a contract valid until June 2028.

(Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

While the Norwegian’s attacking stats were relatively modest in previous campaigns, this season, he has emerged as one of the most potent wing-backs in Germany under Nico Kovac’s guidance.

He has already provided his teammates with 13 assists across all competitions, including three in his most recent outing against Mainz, earning the moniker of the ‘assist king’.

Ryerson has outperformed Diogo Dalot this season

If Man Utd are looking to sign a ready-made right-back who’s at the prime of his powers, the 28-year-old Ryerson could be the right answer.

Perhaps he can replace Noussair Mazraoui, who, although versatile, hasn’t been able to lock down a starting role. The Moroccan could remain at Carrington as a squad player since he’s capable of filling various roles.

Moreover, a statistical comparison between Ryerson and Dalot suggests that the Norwegian has outperformed the Portuguese in every area, except for aerial duels.

(Stats by DataMB)

It should be taken into account that the two men have been playing their football in different leagues, and that Ryerson has been deployed in a more attacking position (a wing-back rather than a full-back).

Nevertheless, these numbers paint a clear picture, suggesting that the Dortmund star would add a new weapon to Man Utd’s attacks.

Spanish football wakes up to a complete shake-up in the standings after a night of high tension at Montilivi.

FC Barcelona has surrendered the top spot to Real Madrid in a match marked by their own mistakes, Girona’s fighting spirit, and a refereeing controversy that promises to fuel sports talk shows all week long. With the race for LaLiga more open than ever, both the boardrooms and locker rooms are in turmoil over Soto Grado’s decisions.

Meanwhile, the continental spotlight shifts today to Lisbon, where Real Madrid begins its assault on the Champions League playoffs with Kylian Mbappé returning to the starting lineup. It won’t be just any match, as all eyes are on the reunion with José Mourinho, who has heated up the atmosphere in the build-up.

Madrid seizes the top spot

La Liga has a new leader. FC Barcelona’s stumble on their visit to Girona (2-1) has handed the top spot on a silver platter to Real Madrid. Hansi Flick’s team, which seemed solid at the summit, collapsed in a match where poor finishing and defensive lapses punished the Blaugranas excessively. With this result, the championship takes an exciting turn just before entering the decisive stretch of the season.

Controversy at Montilivi over Koundé

The center of discord came in the 80th minute. An action by Echeverri on Jules Koundé, which ended in a stamp, preceded Fran Beltrán’s decisive goal. Despite heated protests from the Barça side, Soto Grado did not call a foul and VAR did not intervene, sparking outrage among the visitors. Post-match statements reflect a Blaugrana locker room deeply frustrated with refereeing decisions at key moments.

Mbappé and Mourinho meet in Lisbon

Real Madrid returns to Lisbon today to face Benfica in the first leg of the Champions playoff. After the bitter memory from 20 days ago in Portugal, Álvaro Arbeloa seeks redemption by betting on a muscular midfield. The big news is the return of Kylian Mbappé to the starting lineup, in a build-up dominated by the words of José Mourinho, who has once again exercised his media magnetism against his former team.

High-voltage Tuesday in Europe

It’s not all about Madrid in this Champions League. The playoff before the round of 16 brings us spectacular matchups. PSG visits the Louis II to face Monaco in a European French derby tinged with internal tensions in the Parisian locker room. In addition, Signal Iduna Park will witness a clash of styles between Borussia Dortmund and the always dangerous Atalanta. There’s a lot at stake and the margin for error is minimal.

Respect for Ramadan in the Premier League

In a great show of sensitivity, the Premier League and the EFL have confirmed that they will allow brief pauses in their matches so that Muslim players can break their fast during Ramadan. Between today and March 18, referees will facilitate players and coaching staff to hydrate or eat at sunset. This measure reinforces English football’s commitment to the diversity of its protagonists.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Karoline Knotten, Marthe Kråkstad Johansen, Maren Hjelmeset Kirkeeide og Juni Arnekleiv utgjør det norske stafettlaget på morgendagens skiskytterstafett i Anterselva, bekrefter Olympiatoppen.
Det betyr at Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, som har skuffet med svak skyting tidligere i OL, er vraket.
Etter en tiendeplass på sprinten skjøt Tandrevold ni bom på den påfølgende jaktstarten. Da spekulerte hun i om dette kom til å bli hennes siste OL.
– Det er søren meg fire år til neste gang. Det er lite sannsynlig at jeg skal være med på det, sa hun til VG.
Gullvinneren på sprinten, Maren Kirkeeide, kan være med å dra det norske laget til medalje. Hun har også litt å revansjere etter å ha skutt Norge ut av medaljekampen på den blandede stafetten tidligere i mesterskapet.
Sist OL ble Norge nummer fire på kvinnestafetten.

Welcome to the latest installment of The Orchid Tales, where your hoddler-in-chief documents the life and times of his orchid. Has it really been 12 months since our most recent edition? That’s way too long! Let’s check in to see how things are shaping up.

For those of you new to this site – this is also one of the longest-running features of the hoddle under your HIC. The first edition of The Orchid Tales premiered on August 19, 2022. That’s almost four years ago!

Catch up on parts 1-11 here:Part I, Part II / Part III / Part IV / Part V / Part VI / Part VII / Part VIII / Part IX / Part X / Part XI

——-

One of the most challenging parts about moving, for me, is understanding how to put my orchid in the best possible position to thrive. A huge part of that means how and where it is going to receive sunlight. That sort of calculus makes it probably a little too challenging for me in how I’m going to set up my entire living arrangements.

At least I’ve figured it now for now, and I’ll be monitoring Planty’s health in the coming weeks.

There aren’t any signs that the orchid is going to grow new buds this season, which is okay. The leaves remain a very healthy green, and the roots are wild and respond well when being watered.

It looks like I’ll be tending the plant for the next few months until it’s time to repot, and then maybe I’ll bring it in to a florist to help me understand how to best plot an orchid that is growing increasingly more horizontal by the month.

It’s also time to bring new plants into the fold. I’ve had a ponytail palm sitting on a shelf for the last 2.5 years, which still looks very healthy. I also plan on bringing in some floor plants into the equation – probably the likes of a snake plant, a fiddle leaf fig or a dracaena.

I’ve got some more space on the bookshelves to add a few smaller plants too.

Is it too many plants? Probably not. You can’t have enough plants. I think they add a tonne of life and colour into the mix.

Fitzie’s track of the day: Waits For Me, by Anjimile

And now for your links:

The Standard: “Igor Tudor will have Tottenham squad ‘running through brick walls’, says former player”

Alasdair Gold: “Everything you need to know about Igor Tudor’s new-look coaching staff at Tottenham”

Matt Law: “Tottenham face ‘catastrophic’ cost of relegation and no European football”

The Independent: “Troy Parrott on becoming Republic of Ireland’s hero, Mourinho’s impact and searching for ‘big moments’”

BBC: “League One Mansfield to host Arsenal in fifth round – full FA Cup draw”