January transfer sealed: Official Man Utd account confirms permanent deal two days before deadline

Manchester United have completed a permanent transfer for Rhys Bennett which sees the defender (22) switch to Fleetwood Town.The club website confirmed the deal in question on Saturday morning, with the FA Youth Cup-winning star having been with the Red Devils from U10s onwards.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE!Rhys Bennett joins Fleetwood Town on permanent transfer(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)It’s a fitting move for the player, having previously completed a loan spell with Fleetwood in the 2024/25 season. 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, 2026Bennett was a key fixture in Pete Wild’s side, amassing 38 appearances (in all competitions), helping the Cod Army achieve a 14th-place finish in League 2 last term. Rhys Bennett’s stats 38 appearances (2,697 minutes) 2 goals 1 assist 11 yellow cards 10 clean sheets * Rhys Bennett’s stats (in all competitions) for Fleetwood Town in 2025/26 (Transfermarkt)The 22-year-old will have to come to terms with a changed environment over at Highbury Stadium, however, following Fleetwood’s decision to sack the English head coach on Monday. Matt Lawlor, formerly of Waterford, will take the reins as interim head coach until the summer.Rhys Bennett did not make his breakthrough to the senior Manchester United team, but was ever-present at U18s and U21s levels for the club. Man Utd U18s stats Man Utd UEFA U19s stats Man Utd U21s stats 36 appearances 5 appearances 33 appearances 1 goal 1 goal 1 goal 1 assist * Rhys Bennett’s stats with Manchester United’s youth teams (Transfermarkt)Manchester United would benefit from a momentum transferIt remains to be seen whether Michael Carrick will be the man to lead United beyond the remainder of the 2025/26 season.However, with the Old Trafford-dwelling outfit inching up the rankings – thanks to two unlikely wins against Premier League heavy-hitters Arsenal and Manchester City – there’s a recruitment question lingering. Should United recruit in January to supercharge momentum?On the flip side of the coin, those in the halls of power at Carrington will argue that Carrick has all the resources he needs.Manchester United look significantly improved following tactical tweaks, with Kobbie Mainoo – rotting on the  bench under Ruben Amorim – a shining example of the revamp.Of course, with 15 games remaining in the 2025/26 Premier League season, and United back in the top four, is now the time for speculation for the sake of accumulation?