Introducing... Ashley Fletcher
Ashley Fletcher is determined to impress at Under-21 level for Manchester United after topping the Under-18s' goalscoring chart last term...
When did you first join United?
Well, I was originally involved with the satellite training centres when I was five years old and then later I started training at The Cliff. Unfortunately, the club didn't sign me at the age of nine so I went to Bolton Wanderers, my hometown team, instead. I was born in Yorkshire but moved to Bolton when I was three. United signed me when I was in the Under-12s.
Which players did you come through the ranks with?
I’ve been with James Wilson and Josh Harrop since the early days. I had a really good partnership with Willo and obviously look up to him now he’s in the first team. We had a very good season together in the Academy last year.
How would you describe your playing style?
Well, I’m tall and a target man in a way but I like to think I can go in behind as well and stretch the play. Obviously, I can collect balls in behind and get one-on-one with the goalkeeper but I can hold it up as well. A lot of my goals come in the six-yard box. They’re the type I score - the poacher’s goals.
Have you always been a regular goalscorer through all the age groups?
Yes, from an early age, I’ve always scored goals in each season I’ve played in. I’ve never had to worry about that really as I’ve always known the goals will come. This year, it’s obviously been harder to get game time because of the quality players we have in the Under-21s. Will Keane was playing before his loan and Willo has come down sometimes. Hopefully, I can get some games during the next period.
We hear you've been scoring goals in 'behind-closed-doors' friendlies...
Yes, we’ve had a few friendlies and I’ve scored goals against Bury, Cardiff City and a few other teams. I’ve scored against our first team as well, in the in-house games. I scored with my first touch in one of those!
You've had some injury problems to overcome. How are you now?
I had a collapsed lung the year before in the summer and I had a knee injury at the end of last season and had to work hard to regain my fitness and get back on track. I’m feeling fitter and stronger now. I’m raring to go really. I’ve got on as sub a few times and hopefully I can score some goals and impress Warren. Obviously, I dream about making it. Hopefully, I can make it a reality.
Are you benefiting from the amount of effort you put into training?
Exactly, training is very intense and, in some ways, is even better than a game for improving your fitness levels and skills by training with players of a high quality. It has brought me on as a player this season. Obviously, the transition from the Under-18s to the Under-21s means I'm competing with older players for a place so it’s about being patient, like I've had to be in the first half of the season, biding my time - and then doing the business when I get the chance.
Are there any players you can look up to for inspiration?
Yes, I look up to James Wilson and obviously Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett too, and Danny Welbeck when he was here. They show it’s not a million miles away as they have come through the ranks and progressed. I see them as role models, to be honest, and hope I can get there too. It does tend to happen quickly. Look at Paddy - he was thrown in at the deep end in a way this season and handled it fantastically well.
Have you had to adapt your game after making the step up?
Yes, and [Under-18s coach] Paul McGuinness has been great for my career as he brought me on a lot last year. He told me I needed to be strong and needed to have that belief inside me. He taught me I have got to go and be strong, physical and aggressive in my play and that’s the main thing I didn’t have. I’ve put that into my game now and I know it’s something I can still improve on.
Warren has said something similar about Will Keane in the past - is it difficult to be pleasant off the field but more aggressive on it?
Yes, Will and I are very similar apparently. When you’re on the pitch, you’re playing for the team and it's alright being a nice lad off the pitch but you must try to be a different animal on it as well. If you want to play at the top level, you must get that aggression into your game and it’s what my Mum and Dad have said to me, as well as the coaches. I know I am getting there. I just want to cement a place in the team, score a few goals and catch Warren Joyce’s eye.
Ashley Fletcher is determined to impress at Under-21 level for Manchester United after topping the Under-18s' goalscoring chart last term...
When did you first join United?
Well, I was originally involved with the satellite training centres when I was five years old and then later I started training at The Cliff. Unfortunately, the club didn't sign me at the age of nine so I went to Bolton Wanderers, my hometown team, instead. I was born in Yorkshire but moved to Bolton when I was three. United signed me when I was in the Under-12s.
Which players did you come through the ranks with?
I’ve been with James Wilson and Josh Harrop since the early days. I had a really good partnership with Willo and obviously look up to him now he’s in the first team. We had a very good season together in the Academy last year.
How would you describe your playing style?
Well, I’m tall and a target man in a way but I like to think I can go in behind as well and stretch the play. Obviously, I can collect balls in behind and get one-on-one with the goalkeeper but I can hold it up as well. A lot of my goals come in the six-yard box. They’re the type I score - the poacher’s goals.
Have you always been a regular goalscorer through all the age groups?
Yes, from an early age, I’ve always scored goals in each season I’ve played in. I’ve never had to worry about that really as I’ve always known the goals will come. This year, it’s obviously been harder to get game time because of the quality players we have in the Under-21s. Will Keane was playing before his loan and Willo has come down sometimes. Hopefully, I can get some games during the next period.
We hear you've been scoring goals in 'behind-closed-doors' friendlies...
Yes, we’ve had a few friendlies and I’ve scored goals against Bury, Cardiff City and a few other teams. I’ve scored against our first team as well, in the in-house games. I scored with my first touch in one of those!
You've had some injury problems to overcome. How are you now?
I had a collapsed lung the year before in the summer and I had a knee injury at the end of last season and had to work hard to regain my fitness and get back on track. I’m feeling fitter and stronger now. I’m raring to go really. I’ve got on as sub a few times and hopefully I can score some goals and impress Warren. Obviously, I dream about making it. Hopefully, I can make it a reality.
Are you benefiting from the amount of effort you put into training?
Exactly, training is very intense and, in some ways, is even better than a game for improving your fitness levels and skills by training with players of a high quality. It has brought me on as a player this season. Obviously, the transition from the Under-18s to the Under-21s means I'm competing with older players for a place so it’s about being patient, like I've had to be in the first half of the season, biding my time - and then doing the business when I get the chance.
Are there any players you can look up to for inspiration?
Yes, I look up to James Wilson and obviously Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett too, and Danny Welbeck when he was here. They show it’s not a million miles away as they have come through the ranks and progressed. I see them as role models, to be honest, and hope I can get there too. It does tend to happen quickly. Look at Paddy - he was thrown in at the deep end in a way this season and handled it fantastically well.
Have you had to adapt your game after making the step up?
Yes, and [Under-18s coach] Paul McGuinness has been great for my career as he brought me on a lot last year. He told me I needed to be strong and needed to have that belief inside me. He taught me I have got to go and be strong, physical and aggressive in my play and that’s the main thing I didn’t have. I’ve put that into my game now and I know it’s something I can still improve on.
Warren has said something similar about Will Keane in the past - is it difficult to be pleasant off the field but more aggressive on it?
Yes, Will and I are very similar apparently. When you’re on the pitch, you’re playing for the team and it's alright being a nice lad off the pitch but you must try to be a different animal on it as well. If you want to play at the top level, you must get that aggression into your game and it’s what my Mum and Dad have said to me, as well as the coaches. I know I am getting there. I just want to cement a place in the team, score a few goals and catch Warren Joyce’s eye.
) twice too - good performance generally - good touch, powerful but still looks very young