The bigger names playing for the best teams are generating all the attention from a Manchester United POV this international break, but the true history-maker is elsewhere.
James Scanlon, the 17-year-old who is yet to make his senior Manchester United debut, is a full international for Gibraltar.
The teenager has already won six caps for the national side, playing against some true heavyweights in the process.
On his sixth cap, in their most recent game vs Liechtenstein, he has laid on a record-breaking performance that has secured his name in annals of history.
James Scanlon creates history
Gibraltar are in League D Group 1 alongside San Marino and Liechtenstein so Scanlon is arguably playing for the strongest team in his group.
Against Liechtenstein, Gibraltar raced into an early lead but were pegged back in the second half to make it 1-1.
Up stepped James Scanlon, who, in the seventh minute of injury time, scored an expertly taken goal to send his team on its way to victory.
It was Scanlon’s first goal for Gibraltar senior team and in the process, he became Gibraltar’s youngest-ever goalscorer in history.
He broke the previous record set by Tjay de Barr, who scored at the age of 18 years and 248 days. Scanlon scored at 17 years 346 days.
In a moment for the history books for a player who’s already getting used to be an international talisman, the overall picture was later dampened, however.
In a dramatic finale, Liechtenstein won a penalty in the 14th(!) minute of extra time, dispatched by Nicolas Hasler to earn a draw for his team.
And thus, Scanlon was left to rue a missed opportunity to mark his debut, record-breaking goal, with a win as well.
James Scanlon at Man Utd
It is worth noting that Scanlon is not even a regular for the U21s right now, let alone a contender to break through into the senior team.
In that sense, his senior team experience internationally is a remarkable plus for United as he is already getting used to playing against men instead of boys.
He has given a good account of himself in those games too, promising a better future at club level in the process.
The only thing that could work against him is his position. He plays as an attacking midfielder, a position effectively held hostage by the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes .
However, soon-to-be turning 18, Scanlon has time on his side while Fernandes recently celebrated his 30th birthday.
If he becomes a regular talisman for Gibraltar, perhaps even engineering their rise in international football from their current state, then he would undoubtedly be helping his club prospects too.
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