Manchester United defender speaks out on mental health after father’s tragic death

Back in October, Manchester United defender Rhys Bennett sadly lost his father, and has now opened up on issues he has faced off the pitch.

Bennett, who captained United to the FA Youth Cup 2022 alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, scored in the 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest in the final.

After taking compassionate leave, the young defender is back at the club after his father’s passing.

He referred to his parents encouraging him to pursue his dreams after joining the academy at the age of eight.

His parents were said to be very supportive of Bennett, with his dad regularly posting Bennett’s achievements on social media.

Speaking to Sky Sports, as reported by The Sun, Bennett spoke on the death of his father, commenting: “To be honest, the first two, three days were the worst feelings I’ve ever had in my life.”

He continued: “Then a week or two passes on and you look at it and say ‘I can never feel that bad again’.

“You look at times and think ‘football is my life’ and it’s tough mentally. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows and you’re going to have your injuries at the wrong times.

“But it makes you realise, when I say it gives you a bit of fire in your belly, you think, well, ‘I can never feel like I did that day when I found out.’

“It gives you that reason to think: ‘No, no, this can’t get the better of me.’

“I would not be where I am today without my dad and my family.

“It’s impossible at six, seven, eight years old to drive yourself to training or make certain times and stuff like that.

“I have so many fond memories of the simpler times in my life when you are just a kid and football is everything.”

Bennett also gave advice on those dealing with mental health issues, adding: “It can be difficult to talk but you are never past help and there is not an age limit on when you can speak up or go to therapy.”

He continued: “Speaking up is important, it could be a two minute conversation but you don’t realise how much that can help.

“My dad would not have known how much he was loved and cared for. We have had so many messages, even from people who have met him once.

“You don’t realise just having a conversation about how you feel, and it’s important to not have that stigma around it and especially with men, how much that can help.

“I’ve been with the club since I was eight years old and you try and put on this brave face and you think that you can’t talk about how you might be feeling, but it’s so important.

“I have so many fond memories of the simpler times in my life.

“You should talk about any walk of life, any workplace, whatever it might be, talking about how you feel, there’s never a problem with that.”

He explained: “It’s about broadening my horizons. I’m trying to fulfil my life in other ways, where I’m not just relying on my happiness coming from if I’m fit or not.

“When you are injured, you can take a mental dip because you are so caught up in it.”

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

CALM: 0800 585 858
Heads Together
HUMEN
Mind: 0300 123 3393
Papyrus: 0800 068 41 41
Samaritans: 116 123