Man Utd interest in Melker Ellborg signals Ineos are ready to move on from another one of Erik ten Hag’s signings

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Manchester United’s scouts have been credited with interest in another goalkeeper.

According to Swedish outlet Expressen, Manchester United’s scouts have taken note of the performances of Malmo goalkeeper Melker Ellborg.

Ellborg, 22, has been impressing in the Europa League, recently saving a penalty in a 1-0 victory over Panathinaikos.

The goalkeeper has spent the previous three seasons out on loan before breaking into the Malmo first team. He is splitting playing time with 35-year-old Sweden international Robin Olsen.

Melker Ellborg move would spell Altay Bayindir exit

Manchester United are only scouting Melker Ellborg at this early stage, but it signals the direction the Red Devils are looking in.

After signing Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp, there was speculation that United would still be seeking to add another goalkeeper in the future.

Having begun the season with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in goal, it is clear that both are unlikely to be United players for much longer.

Onana is already out on loan, and United’s interest in Ellborg indicates that the club are looking for a replacement for Bayindir, the current back-up.

Bayindir is another of Erik ten Hag’s signings who looks like he has no future at the club. While most probable the change occurs next summer, don’t rule out a January move.

If United did find a buyer for Bayindir in January, a player like Mellborg could be considered as an immediate replacement.

Mellborg is young, talented, but also more inexperienced than Senne Lammens, and unlikely to cause any immediate starting dilemmas.

Instead you would simply generate, good, healthy competition where Lammens can be supported by another young teammate.

Next season there will be greater scope to rotate players if United qualify for European football.

Mellborg showing he can handle that, and no United fan wants to see Bayindir starting for the club in that scenario.

Manchester United also have Radek Vitek to consider

Manchester United also have promising goalkeeper Radek Vitek to consider, who is enjoying an impressive loan at Bristol City.

Vitek appears to be an outstanding candidate, one who might even be closer to pushing Senne Lammens than Mellborg or Bayindir would be.

The dilemma for Ineos is whether they would rather cash in on the academy talent, promote him to the first team, or arrange a more high-quality loan.

All options are open, and if a move for Mellborg can wait until next summer, then it may be dictated by the plans for Vitek.