Mark Robinson gives the lowdown on Manchester United duo training with AFC Wimbledon

Manchester United U23 duo Dermot Mee and Rhys Bennett impressed Mark Robinson after the pair spent the past week training with AFC Wimbledon as part of the Premier League side’s Pro Experience Programme.

The youngsters were brought down by former Dons coach Justin Cochrane.

Goalkeeper Mee, 18, has been capped by Northern Ireland at U21 level and featured twice for the Red Devils’ EFL Trophy side against Bradford and Sunderland this season. Centre-back Bennett, 18, has made two appearances for United’s U23 side and played the full 90 minutes in their 2-1 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Youth League earlier this month.

Asked by the South London Press how the pair fitted in with the squad, Dons head coach Robinson said: “Brilliantly – the week went really, really well. We got unbelievable feedback from the Man United staff, and these are the things that are growing underneath that are going to put us in great stead for the future.

“The fact that they felt so comfortable, because of the environment that we have got here, it enabled them to perform really well. We were impressed with them.

“They were also really shocked by the level because a lot of the first team players weren’t involved, it was mainly our younger lads, and they saw how good the level was. Being from a Premier League club, it made them realise how good the level is at League One.”

Mee and Bennett participated in training sessions, joined the matchday squad for the pre-game warm-up for the EFL Trophy tie against Sutton United, and participated in the player-led meetings.

“We know straight away now that there is a really strong connection there which we could reap various benefits from in the future,” said Robinson.