Fletcher: Life after Man Utd

West Ham forward Ashley Fletcher speaks to Sky Sports about his new life in London, leaving Manchester United and the upcoming double-header at Old Trafford…

Ashley Fletcher is enjoying his new surroundings and getting used to the hustle and bustle of London life.

The forward left the security of the Manchester United academy in the summer, turning down a two-year contract to stay at Old Trafford, for a new challenge with West Ham.

Born in Keighley in West Yorkshire, Fletcher had spent all of his life in the north of England and had previously only ventured south when football dictated a brief trip to the capital.

The flat he now shares with his girlfriend is situated in the very heart of the Docklands, overlooking The O2 as well as the new financial district and River Thames. The iconic setting has provided him with the perfect backdrop to view the city in all its grandeur.

It is a way of life he is adjusting to, and the 21-year-old is quick to point out that he still feels like a “wide-eyed northern boy” in the big city.

“I’ve gone to see Big Ben and the London Eye, the Parliament buildings as well, it’s great to look around,” he said.

“I’ve always been up for seeing new sights, travelling and seeing the world. Now I’m living in the capital, it’s certainly a different way of life, but I love it down here.

“I’ve used the tube a couple of times, it was definitely different, a lot busier and a lot more frantic than it is in Manchester with the Metrolink. It’s a great way to get around. But I don’t think I’ll be using it during rush hour!”

Though he may not be rushing to join the rat race anytime soon, Fletcher is keen to hop on the Premier League gravy train.

While on loan at Barnsley last season, he watched from afar as academy pal Marcus Rashford made the most of a striking injury crisis at Manchester United under Louis van Gaal.

It was a chance that may have been afforded to Fletcher had he not been at Oakwell.

Not being one to dwell on what could have been, Fletcher kept his focus on Barnsley and helped spearhead their promotion push to the Sky Bet Championship, scoring nine times in 27 appearances, including the first goal in the 3-1 play-off final victory over Millwall in May.

The success achieved at Barnsley, as well as Rashford’s rise to first-team stardom, did however leave Fletcher with a burning desire to make a name for …

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