James Scanlon, a 17-year-old Manchester United academy player, is already making a name for himself internationally despite not having made his senior debut for the club.
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Representing Gibraltar, Scanlon has played six matches for the national team and faced strong competition in each.
A record-breaking performance from James Scanlon
Playing in League D Group 1 of the UEFA Nations League, Scanlon’s team is up against San Marino and Liechtenstein.
During a recent match against Liechtenstein, Gibraltar took an early lead but saw their advantage slip away in the second half, resulting in a 1-1 tie.
Just when it seemed the game was heading for a draw, Scanlon stepped up.
In the seventh minute of injury time, Scanlon scored his first goal for Gibraltar’s senior team, securing his place in history as the nation’s youngest-ever goalscorer at 17 years and 346 days.
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This achievement broke Tjay de Barr’s previous record, who scored at 18 years and 248 days.
A dramatic finale
Despite Scanlon’s late goal, the drama wasn’t over.
In the 14th minute of extra time, Liechtenstein earned a penalty, and Nicolas Hasler converted to secure a 2-2 draw.
This denied Gibraltar the win, leaving Scanlon to reflect on what could have been.
Valuable experience at a young age for James Scanlon
While Scanlon is not yet a regular for Manchester United’s U21s, let alone the senior squad, his international experience gives him an edge.
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He’s already competing against senior players, gaining valuable experience that will aid his development at the club level.
Future prospects at Manchester United
Scanlon’s challenge at Manchester United lies in his position as an attacking midfielder, currently dominated by Bruno Fernandes.
While Fernandes recently turned 30, Scanlon has time on his side to develop and potentially take over the role in the future.
As Scanlon continues to impress for Gibraltar, his performances on the international stage could boost his chances of making an impact at Manchester United.
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