Ruben Amorim given new Man Utd first-team player after surprise transfer U-turn

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim could integrate youngster Rhys Bennett into the first team after the player failed to seal a loan move.

The 21-year-old defender spent time on loan at Fleetwood Town last season and has been tipped to break into the senior squad in the near future.

He was expected to play in a higher division this season after gaining experience in League Two last term but has remained at Carrington after the summer transfer window closed.

According to the Manchester Evenings News, a loan move was the "most logical option" for Bennett but now it wouldn't be a surprise if he started training with the first team.

It adds that he has "outgrown academy football" and could now be ready for the next step after a staff member reportedly said: "Rhys has his sights set high."

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That quote could be pointed towards breaking into Amorim's group this season, the report says, as he looks to make his Red Devils debut this season, having previously trained with the first team during pre-season training camps.

The Portuguese boss is known for bringing youngsters into his first team after doing so with the likes of Toby Collyer, Tyler Fredricson, Amad, Chido Obi and Harry Amass.

Despite an influx on new signings arriving this summer, Amorim still named Fredricson on the bench against Arsenal and Fulham, which should give Bennett confidence that he can break through.

Fredricson was given an opportunity to start in United's shock Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town last month but was hooked at half time and Bennett could sense an opportunity to replace him in Amorim's thinking, the report goes on.

He played 38 times in all competitions for Fleetwood last season, scoring once, as the team finished in 14th place.

There is real hope for Bennett after he captained a Manchester United Under-18s side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022, the same team that featured breakthrough stars such as Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Dan Gore.

Speaking last season, Bennett said the experience of battling for points in League Two taught him a lot and added a huge string to his bow in terms of playing under pressure.

"That has been massive for me and I like having that bit of added pressure to games and scenarios. When I was younger, I used to get carried away with thinking, ‘what's the next couple of years going to look like?’ You can lose focus on what's in front of you right now. It’s still in the back of my mind, but the focus is on the next game and getting the most out of this."

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