It is not often that the majority of first-team players are on international duty but the true headline maker is a 17-year-old from the academy with zero first-team appearances.
That is what James Scanlon has achieved in this international break with his record-breaking exploits for Gibraltar.
Scanlon, who is not even a regular for the U21s at Manchester United, scored his first goal for the national team, becoming their youngest-ever goalscorer in the process.
In a dramatic finale, it didn’t end up being the winner as the opposition scored in the 14th minute of injury time, but it added the latest accolade to an increasingly promising career.
James Scanlon sends message after making history
Scanlon, who plays on the right as well as an attacking midfielder, opened his account on his sixth appearance for the country.
Talking post-game, he said it was an unforgettable moment slightly dampened because of how the game panned out.
After the match, he sent a 13-word message on Instagram, laying bare his ambitions for the future and his current feelings.
He wrote: “Proud to have scored my first international goal⚽️ Hopefully many more to come.”
He is clearly a popular presence in the dressing room, as his Man Utd teammates rushed to respond with their congratulations for the achievement.
Jack Fletcher, who has been nominated for an award recently, replied with a fire emoji, while bonafide first-team player now, Ethan Wheatley, responded with a clapping emoji.
Another player gaining plaudits for his serial goalscoring, Gabriele Biancheri, replied with a clapping and hand-raised emoji.
There were also responses from other teammates like Jack Kingdon, Finley McAllister, and James Nolan, names United fans will get more familiar with in the near future.
Primed for a breakthrough?
Scanlon is in a unique position where he is getting precious senior football experience without going out on loan.
Furthermore, playing for Gibraltar means he is an underdog in more games than not, forcing him to get out of his comfort zone and work harder.
Those traits and experience will undoubtedly put him in good standing for a potential breakthrough into the first-team at club level.
Having said that, it is extremely unlikely that he is fast-tracked through the setup like Alejandro Garnacho or Kobbie Mainoo, who jumped straight to the first-team from U18s.
That is because the No. 10 position is fairly well-stocked at the club which is his ideal role, while he hasn’t separated himself from the pack those two did
Still, United clearly have a wonderkid on their hands who will have a future at the top level of professional football, be it at Old Trafford or somewhere else.
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