Rhys Bennett bravely speaks about losing his dad

Everyone at United was devastated to learn that the 22-year-old’s father, David, had passed away in October, and Rhys has since been receiving wellbeing support from the club.

Now, he would like to speak on the back of an incredibly tough time for him and his family – a testament to his character and maturity – with the aim of connecting with anyone who is struggling, and in the hope of preventing other families from experiencing similar tragedies in the future.

“If I can even connect with one person after doing an interview, then that fills me with a bit more joy because it's one step less to one heartbreak for another family. You wouldn't wish it on anybody,” Rhys says, sitting down with us at Carrington.

“Obviously it's so difficult, [knowing] a situation that somebody might be in, but the thing is they don't know how close that they might be to feeling better or getting out of the headspace that they're in.

“For me, it's just wanting people to reach out, because everyone's there for a person that is going through struggles, and they might not know it.

“But I think it's important that everyone, even if someone's doing unbelievable in life and feeling the best they've ever felt, is still always checking in because you never know, some things might catch you off guard and it's just being open about your feelings and not feeling any pressure that you don't want to talk, or you don't want to burden someone.

“I think just being open about how you're feeling [is what I hope people can do].”

Rhys goes on to explain how challenging the last few weeks have been for him and his loved ones, while admitting that the feeling of such a close loss has changed his perspective on life.

“To be honest, it's been like the most difficult time ever,” he continues.

“But I think the way that we've all dealt with it, it's a credit to everybody because events like this that happen, where there's nothing that you can do to prepare for what we got told.

“But I think it then brings you closer as a family. You connect more; you speak more. And I think, for me, I'm quite a positive person. And, as strange as it feels, I try and turn every situation into a positive. So, then I'm like looking at it like: ‘Well, this is like a lesson in my life where I think I don't appreciate [life] enough.’ It's made me have such a different outlook on life.

“It's made me appreciate life itself more. And I think when you're young, you don't appreciate that, but I definitely have now, and I've tried to turn it into a positive as much as I can. It’s a little bit of a lesson, like I say, that life is too short, and you have just got to appreciate the people around you and the things that you have.”

Rhys also tells us that the memory of his father will drive him on for the rest of his footballing career.

Bennett captained United to glory in the 2022 FA Youth Cup final and has since got his first taste of senior football with loan spells at Stockport County and Fleetwood Town. Through it all, he's done his dad proud, and will continue to do so.

“I think, honestly, when you come into something like this, it’s not just one month on, one month off. It's not just like here and there, it is like a full life commitment. I know it's such a cliche thing to say, but I wouldn't be here without him and also my mum.

“It's not possible for me at six, seven, eight, nine years old to drive myself to training, to take me here, there and everywhere, to the late nights, it's impossible. You can't do it without them.

“Even when you get a bit older, just knowing that they're still there, through any success, through the bad times. He was there for me through no matter what, always told me how proud he was. And, for me, that always drives you on. 

“But then obviously now you have even more of a purpose because you think he's never going to be any less proud of what you've achieved, and it just makes you want to go and achieve more.”

HELP AND SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE

For anyone struggling, help and support are available right now. The NHS in the UK recommends the following free helplines, which are there to support you, when you’re feeling down or desperate:

NHS - call 111

Samaritans - call 116 123

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - call 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm to midnight, every day)

Papyrus - prevention of young suicide - call 0800 068 41 41, or text 07680 039967

Childline - for children and young people under 19 - call 0800 1111