Manchester United may have signed a new goalkeeper over the summer, but they are eyeing up another young stopper in the form of Melker Ellborg.
The Red Devils brought in Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on September 1 and the Belgian has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League.
The 23-year-old made his debut on October 4 and his arrival in between the sticks for Manchester United as coincided with a marked upturn in form and results.
However, the club is still considering a move for another stopper, with Andre Onana out on loan at Trabzonspor and Altay Bayindir unconvincing when he has been called upon.
Neither appear likely to have a long-term future with Manchester United and the Red Devils are looking for a back-up to the impressive Lammens.
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That search has taken them to Sweden and Malmo ‘keeper Ellborg, who has been catching the eye in the Allsvenskan and the Europa League.
Malmo have former Everton, Roma and Aston Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen in their squad, but Ellborg has made seven top flight appearances this season and turned out twice in Europe.
The 22-year-old played in the 1-0 defeat to Panathinaikos last week, but saved a penalty in the narrow loss.
Swedish publication Expressen report that there is ‘great interest’ in the goalkeeping prospect and Manchester United are among his suitors.
The report states that a number of clubs have been scouting the Sweden youth international, with the possibility of bids to come in January.
Lammens has been quick to settle in at Manchester United, earning praise from Harry Maguire after the Red Devils won 2-1 in just the Belgian’s second start for the club at Liverpool.
‘I must say I am heavily impressed by Senne Lammens,’ said Maguire.
‘I don’t want to get carried away because he is playing in the position with the most pressure, it’s the most difficult position at Manchester United. But he’s got everything. Great personality.’
Club legend Rio Ferdinand has also hailed the goalkeeper, saying on his YouTube show: ‘You can’t talk about anyone being our most important player without mentioning the goalkeeper.
‘It’s no coincidence we’ve had an upturn in form. We’ve got a goalkeeper that it seems all the players trust.’
Less impressed is former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey, who – somewhat strangely – feels Lammens should be replaced at the earliest opportunity.
‘I still believe Manchester United need to sign a goalkeeper in January, despite Senne Lammens’ promising start,’ he told BetBrain.
‘They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, so they need to attract the best talent in every position.
‘Just look at Man City – they signed Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer, and he won the Champions League last season!
‘That’s a great example of a club recruiting one of the best players in the world in that position.
‘Man United need to regain that status and bring in a world class goalkeeper that can stay at the club for many years to come and reinforce the spine of the team.
‘That should be the focus for Ruben Amorim over the next few months.’
