James Scanlon has left Manchester United on loanplaceholder image
James Scanlon has left Manchester United on loan | Getty Images
The Man Utd loan exit was agreed in the final minutes of the English transfer window.
Manchester United winger James Scanlon has joined League Two side Swindon Town on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 19-year-old has been eager to test himself at a senior level regularly after reaching a crossroads in his development pathway. Scanlon has often trained with the United first-team and already made 22 appearances at youth level this campaign, but is still a long way off being ready to play under Michael Carrick.
Although he has never made a competitive appearance for the United first team, Scanlon is already a regular for Gibraltar at an international level with 20 full caps to his name. The teenage winger became the youngest scorer in the history of the Gibraltar national side and the youngest goalscorer in Nations League history when he scored against Liechtenstein in October 2024.
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James Scanlon completes Swindon loan
Swindon Town announced the loan signing of James Scanlon in the final minutes of the winter transfer window on Monday night. The Manchester United winger will hope to feature regularly for the League Two club and could make his debut when they face Harrogate on Tuesday night.
A club statement released on Monday read: “Swindon Town Football Club are pleased to announce the signing of attacking midfielder James Scanlon on loan from Premier League giants Manchester United, subject to EFL approval. The highly rated young talent arrives at the County Ground with an exciting reputation, capable of operating across the forward line, predominantly from the left wing. Right-footed, creative, and direct, Scanlon adds flair, intelligence, and attacking quality to the Robins’ options. Scanlon began his footballing journey at Derby County before joining Manchester United in February 2021. He progressed rapidly through the club’s academy system, breaking into the Under-18s during the latter stages of the 2022/23 season and signing scholarship terms in July 2023.
“During the 2023/24 campaign, Scanlon featured prominently in Manchester United’s UEFA Youth League run, while also gaining experience with the Under-21s and training regularly with the first team under Erik ten Hag. His development was recognised in May 2024 when he signed his first professional contract, before travelling with the senior squad on their pre-season tour of the United States. Later that summer, he was named Best Forward at the prestigious Otten Cup youth tournament.
“An impressive 2024/25 season at youth level saw Scanlon earn his first senior matchday squad inclusion for Manchester United, selected for their UEFA Europa League tie against Real Sociedad in March 2025.
“On the international stage, Scanlon has already made history. Eligible to represent both England and Gibraltar, he became the first Manchester United player to represent Gibraltar while at the club. He made his senior international debut in March 2024 and scored his first international goal in September 2024, becoming Gibraltar’s youngest-ever goalscorer and the youngest scorer in UEFA Nations League history.
“Now linking up with Swindon Town, Scanlon will look to continue his development in senior football and make an immediate impact in red. Everyone at Swindon Town Football Club would like to welcome James to the County Ground and wish him every success during his loan spell with the Robins.”
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