Manchester United have welcomed FA Youth Cup winning defender Rhys Bennett back from injury.
Jonny Evans made a memorable 200th appearance for Manchester United on Saturday night when he kept a clean sheet and provided an assist in a win over Burnley.
Evans signed for United in the summer, and it’s quite possible he would would not have signed at all if Rhys Bennett had not suffered an injury after the first pre-season game.
Bennett impressed in the early-July win over Leeds in Oslo, before being ruled out of the pre-season tour with injury, which prompted Evans’ inclusion.
Rhys Bennett makes return
Rhys Bennett is now fit again after making his return for Manchester United’s under-21 side at the weekend.
Bennett returned to training earlier this month and Saturday’s game was his first match since the pre-season win over Leeds.
United’s under-21s lost 4-2 to Arsenal, with Mateo Mejia and Omari Forson on target for the Red Devils.
For Bennett, it was all about getting minutes in the the tank and coming through the game unscathed, and the timing is important.
Rhys Bennett has chance for Carabao Cup clash
Manchester United have a defensive injury crisis with Lisandro Martinez unavailable for the game against Burnley at the weekend along with Harry Maguire. Raphael Varane has been out, coming off the bench for the last few minutes.
With injuries piling up at full-back too, Bennett could provide a vital defensive option.
This week’s Carabao Cup game against Crystal Palace could be the ideal time for him to step up and at least make the bench.
Bennett will be comfortable on the big stage at Old Trafford, where he captained United’s under-18s to a FA Youth Cup win and scored in the final.
He impressed Erik ten Hag, and teammate Tom Heaton, in the winter friendlies in Spain last December, before suffering an injury in early 2023.
Now his luck could be turning, back to fitness at the right time, for his own cause and the team’s.
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