Man Utd FA Youth Cup-winning captain completes move to League Two club

Rhys Bennett has completed a loan move to Stockport County until the end of the season.

The Manchester United defender, who has twice been named on the bench for first-team games over the last month -  against West Ham United and Wigan Athletic - has impressed in the club’s youth teams over recent years.

He captained the Red Devils side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, with Bennett scoring against Nottingham Forest in the final. He continued that form for the Under-21s in the first half of last season and was included in the senior squad that travelled to Spain during the World Cup break.

A month later, the centre-back was called up to the first-team squad for a first senior game and was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Burnley. Injury curtailed his season but he was handed a new contract last summer.

The 20-year-old played against Leeds United in pre-season and has been a stalwart for the Under-21s this term.

His short-term move to Edgeley Park will provide Bennett with a first real experience of senior football, and he could make his debut this weekend when Stockport take on Notts County. The Hatters are currently top of League Two and are aiming to complete a second promotion in three years.

The youngster, who will wear the no.26 shirt while on loan, already has experience of the set-up at Stockport after spending time at the club on a work experience programme. “Rhys is someone we know and who knows us," manager Dave Challinor told Stockport's website.

"He spent a couple of months with us last season as part of an arrangement we had with Man United to get some younger players into our environment to train. It’s fair to say he made a lasting impression on all of the staff not just in terms of his ability, but as a character and personality in being mature and having an understanding of the game.

"When the opportunity came to bring him back in, especially due to our current situation, it was something we were all keen to do and it’s great to have him back with us.”