# James Scanlon (footballer)

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.
A product of Derby County and Manchester United academies, Scanlon became the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club.

## Club career

Scanlon began playing youth football at Derby County before joining Manchester United in February 2021 amidst growing financial uncertainty at Pride Park. After breaking into the under-18 team towards the end of the 2022–23 season, he became a first-year scholar with the Red Devils in July 2023. 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. He signed his first professional deal on 23 May 2024, subsequently travelling with the first team on their pre-season tour of the United States. In August, he won the Best Forward award at that year's Otten Cup youth tournament.
After an impressive 2024–25 season with the youth teams, Scanlon was named in a senior matchday squad for the first time on 13 March 2025, in a UEFA Europa League tie against Real Sociedad.

## International career

Scanlon was born on 28 September 2006, in the Midlands to an English father and Gibraltarian mother, 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. The next year he made his under-21 debut in a 2–0 defeat to Georgia in Kutaisi, on 6 September 2023. 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. 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. 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.

## Personal life

Scanlon's mother Gabriella (née Falero) is a former athlete who jointly holds the Gibraltarian record for the women's 4 × 100 m relay. His younger brother, Luca, is also in the youth system at Manchester United, and has represented Gibraltar at youth level.

## Career statistics

    As of match played 13 March 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Manchester United U21 | 2023–24 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Manchester United U21 | 2024–25 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Manchester United U21 | Total | Total | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Manchester United | 2024–25 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
* ↑ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
* ↑ Appearances in the National League Cup

### International

    As of 19 November 2024
Gibraltar :
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2024 | 10 | 1 |
| Total | 10 | 1 |

### International goals

| 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 |