Manchester United have sanctioned a deadline day loan move for winger James Scanlon, who will join League Two side Swindon Town for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old has been given the green light to depart Old Trafford in a bid to gain senior experience under Swindon manager Ian Holloway, whose side currently sit sixth in the table.
Scanlon, who has 20 caps and two goals for Gibraltar, has been a regular for United's academy sides. He has scored eight goals and provided five assists in 47 appearances for the under-21s, having joined the club from Derby County in 2021. The winger is yet to feature for the first team and is behind talents like Shea Lacey in the pecking order.
United have had a quiet January window, prioritising exits of young players over new signings following the summer's £200m-plus spending spree on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Other departures include Toby Collyer (loan to Hull City), Harry Amass (loan to Norwich), Rhys Bennett (permanent to Fleetwood Town), Joe Hugill (permanent to Kilmarnock), and Sam Mather (contract termination to join Kayserispor).
Interim boss Michael Carrick, who replaced Ruben Amorim earlier this month, had left the door open for further deals after Sunday's 3-2 win over Fulham. “Never say never,” he said. “A lot can happen and situations can be thrown up. Sometimes it is in our control, sometimes not. I am pretty calm.”
Scanlon's move continues United's strategy of sending academy prospects out on loan, with the club expected to pursue a long-term managerial appointment in the summer before making further first-team signings.
