DENTON’S Rhys Bennett described it as “the best night of my life” as he captained Manchester United to victory in the final of the FA Youth Cup.
The 18-year-old central defender also had the thrill of scoring the opening goal in the Reds’ 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in front of a competition record crowd of 67,192.
“To captain Manchester United Under-18s to victory in the final of the youth cup is the proudest thing I have ever done, and one of those moments I will cherish for ever,” he declared.
“It was unbelievable and something I had dreamed of doing from being a young kid and my first day at Stalybridge Celtic Juniors’ soccer school as a six-year-old.
“It was a massive joy to score the opening goal and the best-ever feeling as I ran to the corner flag and did a knee slide.”
Bennett added it was his third goal of the season and all had been important – the other two were against Wolves in the U18 Premier League Cup and Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16 in the UEFA Youth League.
“The first two goals were half volleys, but the one against Forest was a header,” he explained.
Bennett, a former pupil at Russell Scott Primary and Audenshaw High, also praised the battling qualities of his side after Forest scored an equaliser on the stroke of half time.
“In other rounds we have twice been 1-0 down, never let our heads go down and have bounced back. All the hard work we have done on the training ground has paid off,” he continued.
As for the captaining United, he continued: “To lead out the side in front of a near full house of 67,000 doesn’t get any better. I was over the moon.
“Hopefully there will be many more good things like this to come in my career.”
Bennett, who began his playing days at Stalybridge Celtic Juniors, also had plenty of support at Old Trafford, estimating it numbered a couple of hundred of family, extended family and friends.
They included grandfather Ken Hindle, 71, who played for Curzon Ashton along with his brothers Peter and Geoff who often appeared in the same side.
“Granddad, who retired from playing aged 51, was absolutely buzzing after the game,” he said.
Bennett, who recently signed his first professional contract with the Reds, has already trained quite a few times with the first team which he described a great learning curve.
He explained: “It has been a great experience to challenge myself and to improve when you are training with some of the best players in the world.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an idol and to train alongside him is one of the best moments of my career. And as a defender, I am directly up against him.
“Ronaldo is a massive inspiration. As well as being the best footballer in the world, the way he eats, sleeps and recovers makes him one of the biggest role models and somebody I look up to, aspire to and model myself on.
“I watch the first-team players in training and off the pitch looking at how they move and speak and try and embrace and take it all in.”
Bennett, who signed a scholarship at United in 2019, began at Celtic’s soccer school before the age of five and then represented Celtic Juniors from U7 to U9, playing a year up, before joining the Old Trafford club to feature for their U10s.
In the early days he was a midfielder before switching to defence where he now plays as a centre or right back.
Bennett remains close to the Celtic Juniors, where his football journey began, helping coach youngsters at the soccer school during the summer when he has a free Saturday morning and providing kit and boots when they hold charity auctions.