James Overy could leave Manchester United this summer after being omitted from Michael Carrick’s 25-man squad for the club’s opening pre-season matches.
A-League clubs want the 18-year-old on loan, while teams in Europe are also monitoring his position.
BBC Sport, republished by Yahoo Sports, reports that United have kept largely the same travelling group for their games in Helsinki and Trondheim. JJ Gabriel replaced Ethan Wheatley, who has a minor calf problem, but Overy remained outside the squad.
James Overy could leave Manchester United
The selection gives an early indication of which academy players Carrick wants to assess around the senior side. Those who were not included may now need loans or permanent transfers to secure regular first-team football.
Overy missed a significant part of last season while representing Australia at the Under-20 World Cup and Under-23 Asian Cup. He returned to make a substitute appearance in United’s FA Youth Cup final defeat by Manchester City in May.
The Perth-born full-back also received his first senior Australia call-up last season. His international progress has attracted interest from A-League clubs, which are keen to take him back to Australia on loan.
European sides are also considering a move. The report does not identify those clubs or clarify whether United would consider a permanent sale.
ReadManUtd recently covered how Tyler Fredricson was left out of United’s opening pre-season squad ahead of an expected permanent departure. Overy’s omission does not confirm the same outcome, but it places another academy defender at an important point in his development.
United must decide whether another season of academy football would provide enough progress. A well-chosen loan could offer Overy regular senior minutes while allowing the club to retain control of his longer-term future.
James Overy could leave Manchester United if a suitable opportunity arrives, with his absence from Carrick’s squad likely to increase discussions over his next step.
