Sydney FC set to sign Manchester United defender

Manchester United’s right-back options have been a talking point throughout the early stages of this season.

Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have continued to rotate in that position under Michael Carrick since last season.

Competition further down the pecking order has grown increasingly fierce, with several younger options vying for recognition.

International recognition has become one of the clearest markers of progress for United’s emerging full-backs in recent seasons.

One name in particular has built plenty of momentum on the international stage over the past year.

Manchester United defender close to signing for Sydney FC

James Overy is close to leaving United, with the 18-year-old expected to return to Australia to join A-League side Sydney FC, as reported by BBC Sport.

Overy was born in Perth and represented Australia at last season’s Under-20 World Cup, having previously played youth football for Scotland too.

He earned his first senior Socceroos call-up in November, becoming only the second United player to be capped by Australia after Mark Bosnich.

Tony Popovic included the right-back in his squad for friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia after being impressed by his performances at the U20 World Cup.

James Overy joined United in 2024 after leaving Perth Glory and relocating to England with his family.

He signed his first professional contract with the club last July, having previously played a schoolboy friendly for Perth’s senior side against West Ham.

The defender featured regularly for United’s Under-21s last season and had been involved in first-team training under former manager Ruben Amorim at various points.

He was a notable absentee, however, when United’s Under-21s opened their Premier League 2 campaign with a 5-0 win over Ipswich.

Any move to Sydney FC would offer Overy a faster route to regular senior football back in his native Australia.

It is understood any departure would include sell-on and buy-back clauses, allowing United to benefit financially should his career progress from here.

Overy’s dual eligibility for Australia and Scotland had made his long-term international future a talking point in itself before he settled on the Socceroos.

Talks over the move are understood to be at an advanced stage, with a return to Sydney increasingly viewed as the likely outcome.

His departure would bring an end to a two-year spell in Manchester that brought representative honours for two different countries.

United’s willingness to include sell-on terms reflects growing confidence that Overy could go on to have a productive career at senior level.