James Scanlon (footballer)

James Robert Scanlon (born 28 September 2006) is a 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.

International career
Scanlon was born in the Midlands, England to an English father and Gibraltarian mother. 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 an 74th minute substitute for Liam Walker in a 0–1 loss against Lithuania.

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.