Who is Rhys Bennett? Manchester United youngster profiled after promotion to first-team training

Erik ten Hag has not been afraid to integrate youngsters into the first-team environment at Manchester United.

Charlie McNeill has already made his senior debut this season and a clutch of other talented teens are also on the fringes.

Rhys Bennett is the latest name to be added to that list. The defender, who turns 19 later this month, was pictured joining in with first team training as the squad builds towards United's Europa League clash against Omonia Nicosia on Thursday.

Read more: United's training squad for Omonia Nicosia confirmed

Here, we take a closer look at the youngster:

What's his background?

Born in Denton, Greather Manchester, Bennett has been at United since a young age.

He was captain of United's under-18s last term but has this season stepped up with relative ease to the under-21s.

A centre-half by trade, he is now a regular for Mark Dempsey's side in both Premier League 2 and their EFL Trophy games.

According to United's website, Bennett keeps his feet on the ground with regular visits to his old primary school in Denton.

Big-game experience

Bennett was captain and also scored in the final as United sealed FA Youth Cup success last term.

The young Reds overcame Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the final, watched by a record-breaking crowd of over 67,000 supporters at Old Trafford

Speaking after lifting the famous cup, Bennett said: "It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life. It’s stuff I’ve dreamt of since being a kid, since I started at this club, it’s all I’ve ever dreamt of. To win the FA Youth Cup is just a massive achievement.”

What else has he said?

Speaking after that Old Trafford success, he spoke of his future desire to one day represent United at first team level.

“Coming up through the