Ashley Fletcher is the latest Manchester United youth product to make his mark on the game, but he has had to leave the club to do so.
The 21-year-old broke through last season during a loan spell with Barnsley, scoring in the League One playoff final and finding the net nine times in total for the Yorkshire club.
But that wasn’t enough to keep him in Manchester, with West Ham swooping to bring the striker south over the summer.
Fletcher made his second Hammers start at Old Trafford in the EFL Cup quarter-final, and followed the unwritten rules of football narrative to score against his former employers.
What a story this is! Former Man Utd man Ashley Fletcher strikes in front of the Stretford End. SS1 now. https://t.co/d2a25ePpJO
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2016
Fletcher’s decision to trade one United for another may have been influenced by the rise of another young striker at Old Trafford.
The Keighley-born forward was ahead of Marcus Rashford in the youth set-up, but was out on loan when injuries presented the younger player with a first-team opportunity in last season’s Europa League.
Did Manchester United let the wrong man go? Probably not, and we doubt they’ll care after a 4-1 victory, but that didn’t stop the comparisons.
https://twitter.com/_CarltonCole9/status/804061426600046592
https://twitter.com/djuaicgknan/status/804064821696151560
Fletcher > Iheanacho > Rashford #WHUFC #MCFC #MUFC
— Dan Smith (@DanLennonSmith) November 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/cameronbalding/status/804062481358393344
Fletcher > Rashford
— Aron Cooper-White (@AronCooperWhite) November 30, 2016
Fletcher is better than rashford
— James Wadeâš’ (@Wadey313) November 30, 2016
Still, at least it meant no one was talking about David De Gea fumbling the ball to present Fletcher with his opportunity in the first place.
Well, we say no one…
David de Gea: Definitely not playing better for Mourinho than Van Gaal.
— John Brewin (@JohnBrewin_) November 30, 2016
https://twitter.com/TintinnyTins/status/804063443678597120
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