Manchester United might know next debutant after academy star trains three times with first-team

Manchester United might know their next first-team debutant after an academy star was invited to train with the first-team squad three times last week. Ruben Amorim has regularly drafted youngsters into his senior training sessions at Carrington in an effort to instil a fierce competition for places and to cast his own eye over the promising talents at the club.

The latest of those is young full-back James Overy. The 17-year-old might not get the same coverage as the attacking talent in the youth academy, but he has impressed club coaches with his work rate and overall ability since he joined the club a year ago.

It is understood Overy trained with the United first-team three times last week in the build-up to their weekend win over Brighton, while he started his first matches for the U21s in their 2-0 victory against Rochdale on Tuesday night. Amorim might have to look to the academy for cover in the wing-back roles when Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui participate in the Africa Cup of Nations later in the year.

Who is James Overy?

Full name: James Harrison Overy

Date of Birth: 9 November 2007 (17)

Place of Birth: Perth, Australia

Position: Right-back

Squad number: 76

James Overy is a full-back who plays for Manchester United at youth level and who has caught the eye of first-team head coach Ruben Amorim. He has represented both Australia and Scotland at international level, while he is also eligible to represent England.

Overy began his career with hometown club Perth Glory and made headlines when he featured for them in a pre-season friendly against West Ham United at the age of just fifteen. When his family emigrated to Devon later that year, Overy departed the A-League club and joined South West Peninsula League side Newton Abbot Spurs, as he looked to maintain his match sharpness and fitness.

The teenage defender received scholarship offers from Everton, Leicester, and West Ham but opted to join Manchester United and relocated to Manchester in the process. Although the deal to join United was accepted in June 2024, he had to wait until September 2024 for the move to be made official after a FIFA investigation stated he could not join another club until 16 weeks after he had initially signed for Newton Abbot Spurs.

Overy has scored one goal and notched two assists in 13 appearances for United's U18 side since he joined last year, while he has also made three appearances for the U21s. He recently made two appearances for Australia at the U20 World Cup in Chile, where he started one match at right-back and one at left-back.

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