Confirmed: Man Utd in talks over late January deal

Cameron Smith

• 30 Jan 2026 08:59 GMT
• 4 min read

News

Manchester United are reportedly in talks with Fleetwood Town as young defender Rhys Bennett looks to rejoin the League Two outfit before the winter window closes.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at the Cod Army and he enjoyed a thoroughly successful temporary stint at the club, racking up 38 appearances across all competitions.

Current ETV

Rhys Bennett

D (CR)

Manchester United U23

Rhys Bennett

D (CR)

Manchester United U23

€0.5M

ETV Range

€0.4M - €0.6M

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Bennett, who is yet to make his senior debut for Man Utd, then missed out on an Old Trafford exit last summer and he has been cast aside since his return to Red Devils.

He has featured on just three occasions for Man Utd’s U21 side this term and he is now in talks with Fleetwood over a return to the club before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 2 February.

That is according to a report from the Manchester Evening News, who claim that Bennett may either rejoin Fleetwood on loan with an option to buy or on a permanent transfer. If it’s the latter, Man Utd are expected to include a sell-on clause in his contract.

Fleetwood, who are currently 15th in League Two, have only completed the loan signing of Nottingham Forest left-back Josh Powell so far this window, while they have sanctioned four departures, including the sale of Ryan Graydon to Salford City for €400,000.

Man Utd’s January transfer activity

If Man Utd are able to finalise a deal with Fleetwood, Bennett will become the third Red Devils star to leave the club since the beginning of the January window, following Harry Amass’ loan move to Norwich City and the permanent exit of Sam Mather to Kayserispor on a free transfer.

They are yet to add reinforcements to Michael Carrick’s squad and it’s understood that no new signings are expected to arrive before Deadline Day.

Instead, Man Utd are set to retain faith in their current set of options before heavily pursuing at least one new central midfielder this summer. Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson remains their top target, but they are also interested in the likes of Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Joao Gomes.

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