Australia pick Man Utd teen yet to play in first team

"He has yet to play any senior football, only joined Manchester United last summer and wasn't even born when Australia reached their first World Cup in 2006. But 18-year-old right-back James Overy, who played for United's Under-18s against Leeds on Saturday, could be heading to next summer's finals after being called up to the Socceroos squad for friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia in the United States."

"Former Perth Glory teenager Overy moved to Devon from Australia in 2023, playing for Newton Abbot Spurs' first team in the South West Peninsula League before being signed by United's academy a year later. A significant Achilles tendon injury stalled Overy's progress but his talent has been evident in United colours at both Under-18 and Under-21 level, featuring against senior opposition in National League Cup ties at Tamworth and Rochdale."

""He's worth having a look at," said Australia boss Tony Popovic of the youngster who has not been in a matchday squad for the United senior team. "I'm open minded about what that looks like for the immediate future and long term. "Watching him closely in Chile, I was impressed. "We have good contacts at Manchester United, so we know what he's doing at training. "He's in the process where he's getting called up (to first-team training) a lot more often.""

James Overy is an 18-year-old right-back who joined Manchester United's academy last summer after moving from Australia to Devon in 2023. He played for Newton Abbot Spurs' first team before being signed and has featured for United's Under-18 and Under-21 teams, plus National League Cup ties. A serious Achilles tendon injury delayed his progression. Overy impressed for Australia at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile despite the team failing to advance from the group stage. Australia manager Tony Popovic called him up to the senior Socceroos squad for friendlies in the United States and is monitoring his training development. Overy remains uncapped at senior level and is also eligible for Scotland.

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