James Robert Scanlon (born 28 September 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Manchester United and the Gibraltar national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | James Robert Scanlon | ||
| Date of birth | 28 September 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | England | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder, Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Manchester United | ||
| Number | 63 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2021 | Derby County | ||
| 2021– | Manchester United | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022 | Gibraltar U17 | 4 | (3) |
| 2023– | Gibraltar U21 | 4 | (0) |
| 2024– | Gibraltar | 10 | (1) |
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024 | |||
A product of Derby County and Manchester United academies, Scanlon became the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club.[1]
Club career
editScanlon began playing youth football at Derby County before joining Manchester United in February 2021 amidst growing financial uncertainty at Pride Park.[2] After breaking into the under-18 team towards the end of the 2022–23 season,[3] he became a first-year scholar with the Red Devils in July 2023.[4] During the 2023–24 season he participated in the Red Devils' 2023–24 UEFA Youth League campaign while also making appearances for the under-21 side and training with the first team under Erik ten Hag.[5] He signed his first professional deal on 23 May 2024,[6] subsequently travelling with the first team on their pre-season tour of the United States.[7] In August, he won the Best Forward award at that year's Otten Cup youth tournament.[8]
International career
editScanlon was born in the Midlands, England to an English father and Gibraltarian mother,[9] making him eligible to represent England and Gibraltar. He first represented Gibraltar at under-17 level, scoring a brace on his debut as Gibraltar recorded a shock 8–2 win over Liechtenstein on 25 August 2022.[10] The next year he made his under-21 debut in a 2–0 defeat to Georgia in Kutaisi, on 6 September 2023.[11] On 15 March 2024, he was called up to a revamped senior team by head coach Julio César Ribas for their UEFA Nations League play-out against Lithuania.
On 21 March 2024, Scanlon made his senior debut as a 74th minute substitute for Liam Walker in a 0–1 loss against Lithuania.[1] On 8 September 2024, Scanlon scored his first goal for his country, as Gibraltar drew 2–2 with Liechtenstein in their opening match of the 2024-25 Nations League.[12] The goal made him the country's and the UEFA Nations League youngest goalscorer at 17 years 346 days, breaking the records previously set by Tjay De Barr.[13]
Personal life
editScanlon's mother Gabriella (née Falero) is a former athlete who jointly holds the Gibraltarian record for the women's 4 × 100 m relay.[14] His younger brother, Luca, is also in the youth system at Manchester United, and has represented Gibraltar at youth level.
Career statistics
edit- As of match played 26 September 2023[15]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Manchester United U21 | 2023–24[16] | — | — | — | — | — | 1[a] | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
- ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
International
edit- As of 19 November 2024
| Gibraltar | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2024 | 10 | 1 |
| Total | 10 | 1 |
International goals
edit| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8 September 2024 | Europa Point Stadium, Europa Point, Gibraltar |  Liechtenstein |
2–1 | 2–2 | 2024–25 UEFA Nations League |
References
edit- ^ a b "Gibraltar v. Lithuania". Sky Sports.
- ^ Derby County: A normal football club with normal problems once more The Athletic. 28 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Young Gibraltar footballer progresses in UK Gibraltar Panorama. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ United Academy announces first-year scholars ManUtd.com. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Manchester United promote three youngsters to first-team training on eve of Galatasaray game The People's Person. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ Gibraltar international signs deal with Manchester United after stunning season Manchester Evening News. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
- ^ Revealed: United's travelling squad for Tour Manchester United FC. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
- ^ PSV highlight Man Utd wonderkid as ‘best striker’ after impressing in youth tournament United In Focus. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ "The rise of James Scanlon". The Top Flight. 28 March 2024.
- ^ Spielbericht: Gibraltar U17 vs Liechtenstein U17 LFV. 25 August 2022.
- ^ Georgia 2–0 Gibraltar | Under-21 UEFA.com. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Gibraltar draws 2-2 against Liechtenstein in rollercoaster match". gbc.gi. Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation. 8 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ International Round-Up: Bruno Fernandes and James Scanlon score Manchester United. 9 September 2024. Retrievedd 9 September 2024.
- ^ The Manchester United 17-year-old playing internationals for Gibraltar The Athletic. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
- ^ James Scanlon at Soccerway. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Games played by James Scanlon in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 April 2024.