There was a noteworthy starter as Manchester United’s under-21 side lined up last night against Brighton.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Harry Amass starring for the young Red Devils and earning praise for his display.
It was an entertaining game Manchester United’s young side deserved to win, conceding a second half equaliser from a set piece, after Amass had put the team 1-0 up by forcing an own goal.
The game was also notable for Rhys Bennett being in the starting line-up, despite being out on loan at Stockport County.
Rhys Bennett starts for Manchester United under-21s
Rhys Bennett was the FA Youth Cup captain as Manchester United’s under-18s won the competition in 2022, with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho key parts of the side.
Bennett impressed in United’s first pre-season game, before suffering an injury which kept him out of the tour of the USA.
Days later United signed Jonny Evans on a short-term deal, which developed into a permanent move.
Bennett returned to fitness the under-21s in September, and in January he secured a loan deal to Stockport County.
However, it has not gone well for him, as he has been unable to earn a regular spot in the team. He has only made the bench twice, and started once, which was a 4-0 loss to Tranmere in February. He did not make a matchday squad since.
It seems he is not in Stockport’s plans, and while there has been no official clarification on the future of his loan spell on a day to day basis with the League Two club, last night he was back with the under-21s to get some game time.
Bennett played all 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw, his first game at any level in two months.
Ruling on whether Rhys Bennett play for Manchester United this season
Manchester United are in dire need of centre-backs amid an injury crisis. Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw are all out injured at present.
19-year-old Willy Kambwala has stepped up and taken his chance. Bennett is at risk of being left behind.
Similar happened to James Wilson in 2016 when he was out on loan when Manchester United needed a striker, and Marcus Rashford was called upon. He has not looked back.
There is a worst case scenario for United, if either Harry Maguire or Kambwala were injured. Could Bennett step in?
Unfortunately not. If a player is sent out on loan in January, even if it is cut short, they cannot feature for the first team in Premier League or FA Cup competition in the same season.
Midfielder Maxi Oyedele is in a similar situation. His spell at Forest Green Rovers has ended, unofficially, and for the past month he has been back at United playing academy football.