Manchester United youngster receives shock international call-up after impressing Ruben Amorim
Man Utd have another senior international on their books at youth level.
Manchester United youngster James Overy has received a call-up to the Australia national side as they look to secure his services long-term. The 17-year-old has yet to be named in a senior United matchday squad but has been called up by Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic ahead of friendly matches against Venezuela and Colombia later this month.
Australia have already qualified for next summer's World Cup and want to prepare for the tournament with friendly matches in the United States. Although they are only friendly matches, Australia know positive results across the next two matches could boost their world ranking ahead of the World Cup draw on 5 December.
Overy made headlines last week when it was revealed he trained with the United first-team three times in the build-up to their recent win over Brighton. Ruben 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.
The teenage defender 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. He has previously represented Scotland at international level, while he is also eligible to represent England. His call-up could swing the pendulum in Australia's favour as they look to secure his services
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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