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Manchester United have sold Rhys Bennett to Fleetwood Town as another of their younger squad members chooses to move on.

The defender had spent last season with the League Two outfit on loan and has now joined them permanently after making 35 appearances last term. Bennett had enjoyed a loan spell at Stockport prior to his loan move to Highbury Stadium.

Bennett had been with the Premier League giants since he was 10 and has risen through the ranks, captaining the youth side that claimed the FA Cup in 2022, scoring against Nottingham Forest in the final.

The 22-year-old never made an appearance for the Red Devils senior side and was unlikely to force his way into the first-team picture given the quality that already exists in their ranks.

Bennett said upon completing his move to Fleetwood: “I’ve just turned 22 and I think now is the time to kick on and play as many games as I can. I’ve been out on loan, I’ve played a lot of football, and it’s about getting more experience and growing as a player and as a person.”

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Last term Fleetwood, who were initially managed by Charlie Adam, finished 14th in the fourth tier but their style of football was a big draw for Bennett. He said: “The style of football really worked for me. We wanted to play, be comfortable on the ball, and the back five suited me. There are a lot of good players here and that helped me kick on.

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be back here. From the moment I came in last time it just felt like a family. I’m really excited to pick up where I left off and get back playing football.”

United have done little by way of recruitment in January with their focus on securing a blockbuster target come the summer, likely in midfield. But they have been willing to green light departures with Joe Hugill, another player in his early 20s, allowed to leave for Scottish side Kilmarnock.

One player who won't be on the move is Joshua Zirkzee with Michael Carrick strongly hinting that the Dutchman will be staying put despite him falling down the pecking order and there being interest from Italy.

The head coach said: "I am looking forward to working with him. That's it, nothing else has been needed to be said."

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