Fleetwood Town Football Club are delighted to confirm the permanent return of highly rated defender Rhys Bennett from Premier League side Manchester United, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old was on loan at Highbury last season, making 38 appearances and scoring twice during his spell with Town. Bennett quickly became a fan favourite, leaving a lasting impression across the club and supporters alike.
A product of Manchester United’s academy, Bennett made his Under-18s debut in 2020 against Blackburn Rovers and soon went on to captain the side. He led the young Reds to FA Youth Cup glory in 2022, scoring in the final as United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 in front of a record crowd of over 67,000 at Old Trafford. That victorious side also featured fellow Town loanee Ethan Ennis.
His development continued with involvement at senior level, earning a place in United’s Premier League matchday squad for their trip to West Ham United in December 2023, before signing a new professional contract at Old Trafford in July of the same year.
Bennett also travelled on United’s pre-season tour of the United States in 2024, making substitute appearances against both Arsenal in Los Angeles and Liverpool in South Carolina under Erik ten Hag.
He gained further senior experience with a six-month loan spell at Stockport County at the start of 2024, making his league debut against Tranmere Rovers in February, before later joining Fleetwood on loan for the 2024/25 campaign.
The defender now makes his return to Highbury on a permanent basis after captaining Manchester United’s Under-21 side for much of this season, and he will wear the number two shirt on the Fylde Coast.