MANCHESTER UNITED are providing pastoral care for young defender Rhys Bennett.
FA Youth Cup-winning captain Bennett, 21, announced the heartbreaking news that his father had taken his own life.
Defender Bennett, who spent the entirety of last season on loan at League Two side Fleetwood Town, has been given compassionate leave by United.
In an Instagram post accompanied by four images with his father and family, Bennett wrote: “Dad, I never thought I’d have to write this so soon, over the weekend I found out that he’d took his own life.
“Broken, devastated, just don’t want to believe it’s real but the sad reality is that it is, from driving me here, there and everywhere as a kid to watching me fulfil my dream of becoming a professional footballer.
“I love you in this life and the next.
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, please speak up, you don’t realise how much you are truly loved.”
Bennett also shared a post listing the telephone numbers for charities that provide urgent emotional support.
Manchester-born Bennett, captained the United side that featured Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho to their first Youth Cup triumph in 11 years in 2022.
The academy player was an unused substitute in the 2-0 defeat at West Ham United in December 2023 and Bennett played for the first team during their 2024 pre-season tour of the United States.
Bennett’s two appearances this season for the Under 21s were against Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup and Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy last month.
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