Manchester United’s senior team is struggling at the minute after going out of two cup competitions and the Premier League season being a write-off.
In these trying times, the academy and the loan stars are providing hope, and some great news has come in from two fronts of the loan army this season.
With the crunch end of the season coming in, Man Utd loanees have started impressing, be it Ethan Williams’ hot spell at Cheltenham or Ethan Ennis impressing at Doncaster.
Add Rhys Bennett to the list who scored the first league goal of his career in a 4-1 win for Fleetwood Town FC, while another loanee sealed three points on his first start for his new club.
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
Man Utd loanee Rhys Bennett’s first league goal
Bennett has been with League Two side Fleetwood Town since the start of the season and ticked off various “firsts” with the club.
Bennett scored his first professional goal earlier this season, leading to praise from the likes of Scott McTominay, and he’s now scored his first league goal.
The towering centre-back got on the end of a floated free-kick from the right wing and completed a bullet header past the goalkeeper.
His was the third goal in a 4-1 victory for his team away at Crewe, a statement win which had his manager Pete Wild call him “threatening” from set-pieces.
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Bennett sent a message on Instagram after the game, writing, “3 points, first league goal”, and received responses from fellow loanees Joe Hugill, Ethan Ennis, Ethan Wheatley and more.
However, he wasn’t the only United loanee who’s loving life at the moment.
Jack Kingdon has perfect first start for Rochdale
Unlike Bennett, Jack Kingdon joined Rochdale in the January window alongside Sam Mather.
After a stop-start beginning to life at the club, Kingdon was awarded his first start for the club against Gateshead, a game they won 1-0.
Kingdon started on the right side of a back three, good for his experience if he comes back and plays in Ruben Amorim’s system.
Kingdon posted on Instagram after achieving a clean sheet and a win on his first start for Rochdale, saying, “Happy to get my first start for the club and to top it off with 3 huge points and a clean sheet.”
Jaydan Kamason and Bennett were among the ones to congratulate him as both centre-backs (Bennett and Kingdon) try to force their way into contention next season with a strong end on loan this season.