Official: United Youth Cup winning captain departs club after over 10 years of service

Rhys Bennett has officially left Manchester United after weeks of speculation. United career The 22-year-old has been at Old Trafford since joining the under-10s. He rose through the ranks and captained the 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning side, also scoring a goal in the final against Nottingham Forest. The centre-back signed a new deal in 2023 and went out on loan to Stockport County in 2024. Bennett also spent a successful spell at Fleetwood Town last season before returning to Old Trafford last summer. Fleetwood Town move It has been a complicated year for the young man, with the loss of his father and a lack of minutes on the pitch. The Peoples Person relayed earlier in the week that the defender was closing in on a permanent move away from United, and this has now been confirmed. The club’s official website reported earlier today that, “Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett has completed a permanent transfer to Fleetwood Town, subject to registration.” The club finished their statement by claiming, “we want to thank Rhys for all his efforts during his time with United and wish him all the best in his next spell in League Two. Good luck and we’ll be watching your career with keen eyes.” Rhys Bennett has completed a permanent move to Fleetwood Town. Our 2021/22 #FAYouthCup-winning captain, we are immensely proud of Rhys as a player and a person. He leaves with the very best wishes of his United family ❤️♾️ — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 31, 2026 Fleetwood also announced the move, stating, “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.” We’re delighted to announce the permanent return of highly-rated defender Rhys Bennett from @manutd, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee. ✍ — Fleetwood Town Football Club (@ftfc) January 31, 2026 The defender was also ecstatic to be back where he spent last season, asserting, “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.” He will join up with his former teammate Ethan Ennis, who is currently on loan at Highbury Stadium. Fleetwood are in action later on this afternoon against Notts County, and Bennett may be in a position to make his second debut for the club. Rhys Bennett Fleetwood Town stats Matches playedGoalsAssistsMins playedSeason 382126972024-2025 Source: transfermarkt.com The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.