Fleetwood Town are interested in making a move for Manchester United Academy player Rhys Bennett according to reports.
The 20-year-old was used in four games of The Red Devils’ preseason campaign, playing in the second halves of the matches against Liverpool, Rangers and Rosenborg as well as a brief spell against Arsenal. A Manchester native, Bennett captained the Under 18’s side to an FA Youth Cup victory in 2022.
Reports from PA’s Simon Peach suggest that Town are interested in a move for the defender, which would give him a second chance in League Two following a spell at Stockport County last season. It also indicated that the Premier League side are seeking loan deals for fellow prospects Elyh Harrison and Sonny Aljofree.
He joined Dave Challinor’s side in January, playing just once in a game against Tranmere Rovers. Bennett was also named in squads against Crewe Alexandra and Gillingham but could not break past existing defenders like Neill Byrne and Jacob Horsfall to play regularly.
United’s under 21’s opened their EFL Trophy campaign last night with a 3-2 win over League One’s Barnsley, but the defender did not make the squad that travelled to Oakwell with Tyler Fredricson and Louis Jackson starting the game.
Fleetwood are currently unbeaten this season, with two wins and a draw, knocking West Bromwich Albion out of the EFL Cup at Highbury before drawing 2-2 with Notts County last weekend. The Cod Army are currently sixth in the league ahead of welcoming Gillingham to Lancashire.
Charlie Adam has made a few moves to reinforce his defence this transfer window, with Zech Medley, James Bolton and MacKenzie Hunt joining on free transfers. Ben Heneghan left in order to join fellow relegated side Port Vale.
23-year-old Medley has featured in all three matches so far, partnering Harrison Holgate and Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu at the back. Signing Bennett would make him the sixth central defender at the club, with 20-year-old Fin Potter and Bolton also able to occupy that space.
Writer’s View
Using a back three means you will need extra depth in the defence and adding a player such as Rhys Bennett will offer you just that. He is capable of occupying right back too, giving some flexibility if Carl Johnston is injured as well. Whilst not a successful move for the 20-year-old, his stint at Stockport will give him an idea of what League Two football is like and that should help him should he join Fleetwood Town.
At a young age he already has an FA Youth Cup and a EFL Cup winners medal in his cabinet, but his omission in the EFL Trophy last night is an indication that a move might be close for the academy captain. Fellow players like Will Fish are also on the move out of Manchester and will come back next season with more experience under their belts. The moves in the senior squad suggest that they might be moved on in the near future, but United’s reputation in playing homegrown talent might not rule out a future place in the senior squad.
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