Manchester United’s win over Liverpool at the weekend was tipped over the line by the team’s young stars.
Amad and Alejandro Garnacho combined for the winner, with Kobbie Mainoo performing so well that he was subsequently called into the England squad, where he hopes to make his debut this week at 18.
Well, also at the weekend, Manchester United’s academy teams shone, with a 5-2 win for the under-18s and 3-0 victory for the under-21s.
And one of the players involved has managed to beat Kobbie Mainoo to making his international debut, last night making his bow at 17.
James Scanlon makes international debut
Manchester United youngster James Scanlon was called into the Gibraltar squad for the first time this week, admittedly an easier task than Mainoo propelling himself into England contention.
Scanlon came off the bench in Gibraltar’s clash with Lithuania, a 1-0 friendly defeat. It was a close result, considering the minnows were hammered 14-0 by France during Euro 2024 qualifying.
The Manchester United was a 74th minute substitute, with his side a goal down before he was introduced into the fray.
This could be the first of many appearances for Scanlon, was also eligible to play for England. But he had represented Gibraltar at youth level, for the under-17s then under-21s, and has been fast-tracked into the senior set up.
He has a younger brother, Luca Scanlon, who is also part of the Manchester United academy and is in the Gibraltar under-16s squad.
Gibraltar, ranked 201st in the world, need all the help they can get, and having a youngster in the Manchester United academy is reason for them to have a little hope.
The defeat was a relegation play-off, which confirms Gibraltar dropping down into UEFA Nations League D, where they will compete against Liechtenstein, Moldova and Andorra, Malta, and San Marino, while Latvia and Estonia have just been promoted. The idea is for the weaker sides to get more games against each other.
How is James Scanlon faring for Manchester United
James Scanlon is one of three players Manchester United signed from Derby County in 2021.
He has been part of the under-18s successful campaign, where he has scored four goals from midfield in nine matches.
Scanlon also played in all six UEFA Youth League games, the FA Youth Cup an EFL Trophy, and has also stepped up to the under-21s.
He has one assist for the under-21s in four appearances, which came at Old Trafford against Norwich ina 4-2 win.
Rightly, Scanlon’s international exploits won’t get the attention of Mainoo’s, but he is hoping to follow the young midfielder’s rise into the first team. He should be proud of his achievements so far, and use his international call as motivation to succeed at club level too.