No country for young men.
Ashley Fletcher was set to be named on the bench for Manchester United’s trip to Watford last November, but injury meant Marcus Rashford took his place.
Fletcher subsequently went on-loan to Barnsley, and Rashford went on to score on his Europa League, Premier League and international debuts, making England’s Euro 2016 squad and cementing his status as one of the most exciting talents around.
Fletcher is still highly rated, but he won’t be continuing his progress at Old Trafford. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s imminent arrival is set to limit first-team opportunities further, the striker has turned down a new deal in order to join West Ham on a free-transfer.
The London club will still have to pay compensation for the player, as he’s still only 20-years-old.
Fletcher scored nine goals in 27 games for Barsnley last season, including the opening goal at Wembley in the League One play-off final, helping his side win 3-1 against Millwall and promotion to the Championship.
One hopes United will not have to buy him back for tens of millions in the next few years.
