Manchester United slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis on Saturday evening.
The ‘first choice’ XI were held goalless at half-time, and after making several changes the young team were caught out from a set piece early in the second half.
The team struggled to create chances in either half, and the real positive takeaway came with the improved defensive work, after conceding four against Cadiz.
One player who played a key role was Rhys Bennett, who came off the bench for Teden Mengi after 15 minutes, when the 20-year-old was stretchered off in pain, with what looked like more hamstring issues.
Tom Heaton praises Rhys Bennett
Bennett, 18, did not feature against Cadiz, with Tyler Fredricson preferred. This time, Erik ten Hag gave Bennett the call.
Last season’s FA Youth Cup winning captain stepped in well for Mengi, settling into the game right away alongside Victor Lindelof.
The best description of Bennett’s performance would be to say he played like a first teamer, making the right decisions with his passes, and being in the right place and the right time.
Bennett was picked out for praise by United veteran Tom Heaton, who came on at half-time to play the second 45 minutes.
He told the club website: “I thought he was excellent actually, really, really good. Positionally, he was excellent.
“[There have been] a few changes in terms of how the manager wants his defenders to play, so he’s picked that up really well this week.
“I thought he showed that excellently, especially coming off the bench cold in the first half. I thought Benno had a really good night.”
Bennett scored well in our player ratings from the game, and as Heaton points out, his performance deserves extra praise due to the circumstances which saw him thrown in.
Ten Hag has had a look at a variety of young defenders on this trip, and along with Fredricson, Bennett has really enhanced his reputation.
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