Man Utd defender Rhys Bennett could leave the club before the January transfer deadline next week.
Rhys Bennett is in talks to leave.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
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Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett is in talks to join Fleetwood Town before the January transfer window deadline. Bennett spent last season on loan with Fleetwood, where he made 38 appearances across all competitions and gained crucial experience in the professional game.
The Manchester Evening News understands early discussions have taken place to facilitate a move for Bennett in the winter window, a few months after the youngster missed out on leaving in the summer.
Bennett could sign for Fleetwood on loan with a clause to make the move permanent at the end of the season. The option for Bennett to leave on a permanent transfer in this window is also on the table.
United regularly insert sell-on clauses into the structure of deals for academy players who leave to profit on future success, and it's thought Fleetwood will look to negotiate the percentage of the sell-on clause.
The winter window will shut on Monday, February 2, so Fleetwood have a few days to wrap up a deal.
Speaking about playing competitive football with Fleetwood, Bennett reflected: "That has been massive for me, and I like having that bit of added pressure to games and scenarios.
“When I was younger, I used to get carried away with thinking, ‘what's the next couple of years going to look like?’ You can lose focus on what's in front of you right now. It’s still in the back of my mind, but the focus is on the next game and getting the most out of this.”
Denton-born Bennett joined United's academy when he was a boy. He progressed through the youth system and captained the Under-18s to FA Youth Cup glory in 2021/2022.
Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho starred in that Youth Cup campaign, but Bennett wore the captain's armband and opened the scoring in the final against Nottingham Forest.