Stockport County are now in advanced talks to sign Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett, according to Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider.
The League Two club are in talks with the 20-year-old defender over a loan move until the end of the season. Bennett is yet to play for Erik ten Hag’s side so far this season but was part of the squad that faced Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup recently, despite not coming off the bench.
Stockport currently sit on top of England’s fourth tier and are looking to add more defensive depth for the second half of the campaign. United will be hopeful their player can play some minutes as they look to aid his development into senior football.
Bennett has not been on loan as of yet in his career at any club but has featured eight times for the Reds’ youth side this season in all competitions, which includes the Premier League 2 and the EFL Trophy. The English centre-back also played for the senior side in pre-season, picking up an injury against Leeds United in their first game of the tour.
Now, the Hatters are hoping to land the defender over the coming days, having captained Man United in an FA Youth Cup final and even scored the first goal in the game on the way to winning it. The defender was in a cup-winning side that featured Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Behind the scenes at Old Trafford, the defender is rated very highly and was handed a new contract last season by the club. The Manchester Evening News has previously reported that Bennett was leaving a huge impression on the manager in training, but that has not warranted a starting position as of yet.
The Denton-born centre-half will have to be at his best to break into the back three at Edgeley Park, with Akil Wright, Fraser Horsfall and Ethan Pye standing in between him and a starting spot in the side.
Stockport face a trip to Notts County on Saturday, but there are no current suggestions as to whether a deal will be done by then. The club are in advanced talks with the player, but there is yet to be an agreement between the two.
Writer’s View
Bennett is a talented defender with wonderful ability on the ball. He was a standout player in a memorable FA Youth Cup campaign for the club and showcased his leadership skills throughout. If he can apply that to senior football, the Hatters are getting a great deal for the second half of the season.
If the defender shines while out on loan, there could be a possible route into the first team for him when he returns this summer, particularly since several centre-backs at Old Trafford are nearing the end of their current contracts.
