Manchester United’s academy star James Scanlon was involved on international duty as Gibraltar faced Montenegro in their first World Cup qualifying game.
James Scanlon has been pushing for a place in Manchester United’s senior squad this season after excellent performances in the youth teams.
The 18-year-old has 17 goals and six assists in 23 appearances so far this term and was promoted to Ruben Amorim’s bench for the second-leg agains Real Sociedad.
While he is yet to take to the pitch for his United debut, Scanlon is one of the only young talents within the Academy to already have experience on the international stage.
Scanlon is representing Gibraltar and has already made 11 appearances for the national team. The experience he is getting is invaluable at this moment.
The young winger was involved on Saturday evening and it was his first-ever involvement in a World Cup qualifying game.
How Scanlon fared for Gibraltar vs Montenegro
Despite losing 3-1 against Montenegro, it was Gibraltar who received a lot of praise for their approach as heavy underdogs.
Scanlon’s side took an early lead in the game but conceded an equaliser just after the 20th minute-mark. But they did manage to keep things level until the final 20 minutes, where Montenegro added two more in quick succession.
The United youngster was part of a three-man midfield, as per FotMob, rather than in one of his more familiar attacking positions.
Scanlon played 83 minutes before being substituted. He had 33 touches of the ball and completed two dribbles, while also winning five of his duels.
The Gibraltar Chronicle noted several different actions that the United youngster made in the game, including a dangerous cross which saw Tjay De Barr looked to be fouled inside the box. It was a nervy moment for Montenegro before VAR cleared the incident.
They also claimed that Scanlon “pushed forward aggressively” in his midfield role and he had a free-kick attempt cause little trouble for the opposition.
Scanlon part of “confident and brave” decision
Scanlon was among three teenagers to start the game for Gibraltar in Scott Wiseman’s first game in charge of the national team.
Wisemen, a former Championship defender, has been praised for his approach to use the younger players at his disposal such as Scanlon.
The Gibraltar Chronicle wrote: “A confident and brave new outlook was seen from Scott Wiseman in his first match in charge of the senior men’s side in the European qualifier group matches against Montenegro.”
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“Although Gibraltar ultimately lost, Wiseman’s decision to play offensively, give experience to young players, and shift towards a more progressive style impressed both fans and critics,” it was added. “Montenegro had to dig deep to secure the win, only turning the game around late on.”