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Manchester United youngsters James Overy and Louis Jackson are edging towards departures from the club, with proposed moves to Sydney FC and St Mirren respectively gathering pace, according to BBC Sport.

Simon Stone has reported that Overy is close to heading back to Australia to join A-League side Sydney FC, while Jackson is in discussions over a move to the Scottish Premiership.

Neither transfer has yet been described as completed. However, Jackson is scheduled to undergo a medical with St Mirren on Thursday before putting the finishing touches to the switch.

Overy, 18, was born in Perth and joined United in 2024. The defender played for the Red Devils at Under-21 level last season, giving him exposure to the top level of the club’s development structure.

He was also named in United’s squad for the FA Youth Cup final in May, when Manchester City came out on top.

His development has also carried through to the international stage. Overy represented Australia at last season’s Under-20 World Cup before earning his first senior call-up in November.

A move to Sydney FC would therefore take the teenager back to his country of birth at a time when he has already come onto the radar of Australia’s senior selectors.

There was a recent sign that his situation at United might be shifting when he was missing from the Under-21 side’s opening Premier League 2 match.

The young Red Devils won that game 5-0 against Ipswich Town at Leigh on 24 August, but Overy’s absence stood out.

Jackson’s expected departure would bring to a close a longer spell within United’s youth system. The 20-year-old, who was born in Oldham, was part of the club’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2022.

The defender is also a Scotland youth international, giving him a clear link to the country where he may now continue his senior career.

Jackson spent part of last season on loan with National League side Solihull Moors. That period gave him experience outside United’s academy set-up before the latest talks with St Mirren.

A switch to a Scottish Premiership club could provide a more straightforward path to regular senior football, although the move still depends on his medical and the final completion of the agreement.

The proposed terms are especially important for United. Both transfers will include sell-on clauses as well as buy-back options.

Sell-on clauses could enable the Red Devils to benefit financially if either defender progresses and later secures another move, while buy-back options would keep open a possible route back to Old Trafford.

That arrangement should lessen the impact of losing two young defenders with international recognition and notable Youth Cup involvement. It gives Overy and Jackson the chance to pursue clearer senior opportunities without United fully giving up their interest in the pair’s future development.

The moves would also amount to two changes in the club’s developmental defensive ranks soon after the new Premier League 2 season got under way. It remains unclear how quickly both deals will be officially completed, but each player now seems close to starting the next phase of his career away from Manchester.

Overall credibility: 9/10

Why?

✅ Stone is rarely wrong on Manchester United matters.

✅ Overy and Jackson have both been linked with moves away for some time.

This report is very likely to be accurate and both deals are expected to be completed soon.