Manchester United youngster ranks in the top four youngest goalscorer in the UEFA Nations League history.
Granted, the UEFA Nations League is not exactly the World Cup in terms of rich history, which held it’s first tournament in 1930. The first ever Nations League game was held in 2018.
And it may not surprise anybody to learn that Spanish wonderkid Lamine Yamal is the youngest goalscorer in Nations League history.
The only query is ‘what took him so long?’, with Yamal netting his first Nations League goal this past weekend as Spain defeated Croatia.
And in the process he bumped a promising Manchester United academy talent from third, down to fourth on the list.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
James Scanlon is youngest non-Spanish scorer
Lamine Yamal usurped Spain international teammate Gavi as the youngest scorer in UEFA Nations League history.
And now forming an all-Spanish top three, is former Brighton loanee Ansu Fati.
After that, the fourth youngest scorer in the competition, and the youngest non-Spanish goalscorer is Manchester United youngster James Scanlon.
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Scanlon, now 18, represents minnows Gibraltar, and the attacking midfielder netted his sole international strike so far at 17, against Liechtenstein.
In the process Scanlon became his country’s youngest goalscorer, and he continues to pick up valuable competitive experience.
James Scanlon’s latest international game
James Scanlon was on the losing team at the weekend as Gibraltar were defeated 3-1 at the hands of Montenegro.
And given his nation’s minnow status, it is an uphill task in every game – but he has had the chance to go head to head with Scotland and Wales, and in his next match, they take on the Czech Republic.
Scanlon has struck 17 goals for Manchester United’s academy teams this season, and has a further seven assists.
He was added to the Europa League squad, featuring on the bench against Real Sociedad, showing he is beginning to catch Ruben Amorim’s eye, and a debut may not be far away.