Ashley Fletcher Bids Farewell To Barnsley As He Returns To Manchester United

Ashley Fletcher posted a goodbye message to Barnsley following the termination of his loan spell at the club.

The 20-year-old made the headlines in the Sunday’s League One playoff final, as he scored the opener against Millwall to secure promotion to the Championship.

Fletcher, who joined Barnsley in January, took to twitter to thank the club for the support he received, and wished the Reds good luck for their new season in the Championship.

Barnsley will hope Manchester United allow the youngster to develop in the Championship. However, Fletcher, who joined United’s academy at the age of 13, is yet to play for the Red Devils’ first team, and is keen to make his way back to Old Trafford and impress new boss Jose Mourinho.

The young striker as well as the current Barnsley manager share the belief it could have been him, and not Rashford, breaking through as a Manchester United striker this season.

“I don’t know the pecking order [at Old Trafford], but if he wasn’t here he could have been making his debut instead of Rashford,” Paul Heckingbottom said after the game.

“I think he will get better and better. United will have seen his progression and they’ll know he has the attributes to get better.”

Fletcher stated: “It is strange to think what might have happened when you see what took place with Marcus.

“Part of you thinks: ‘It could have been me’. But football is funny like that — opportunities can crop up any time. Hopefully people might think of us together as young players at United. But what Marcus has done is unbelievable — scoring for United’s first team, scoring for England.

“He deserves all the attention he is getting — maybe I can run him for his place next season.

“We have played together at most age groups at United, and to play together in the first team would be amazing.”