Ashley Fletcher wants to make his mark on Manchester United return after being transformed by Slaven Bilic at West Ham

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Ken Dyer30 November 2016

Old Trafford may universally be known as the Theatre of Dreams but for Ashley Fletcher, Manchester United’s iconic home almost turned into never, never land.

Fletcher spent more than six years as a player at United from the age of 13 but should he start for West Ham tonight in their EFL Cup quarter-final, it will be just his third match experience at Old Trafford.

The big striker, who celebrated his 21st birthday last month, looks certain to be involved tonight, following the hamstring injury to Diafra Sakho — and is relishing this opportunity to perform on arguably the biggest stage in English football.

Fletcher , who left United to join West Ham on a four-year deal last summer, was a second-half substitute at his former home last Sunday, almost scoring the winner in a 1-1 draw when his shot was blocked by goalkeeper David de Gea.

“That was only my second proper game at Old Trafford, my first being for the Under-21s against Manchester City two years ago.

“I came on in the 70th minute and scored,” he revealed.

“I could have followed that with another goal on Sunday. It was one of those where, had it been either side of him I would have scored but unfortunately it was straight at him.

“Hopefully, if I get another chance, maybe tonight, I will put the next one away.”

On Sunday, following the Premier League draw between the two clubs, Fletcher found the time to catch up with two good friends from his time at United — England pair Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.

“We all grew up together. I have a lot of friends there but those two especially are doing unbelievably well at the moment,” he said.

Photo: Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images
Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images

“I spoke to both of them for 15 minutes after Sunday’s match. We were just catching up and it was good to see them.

“In the case of Marcus I could see from a young age that he was going to be a top player.

“He always had enough ability but surprisingly, looking at him now, he used to be quite small.

“To be fair I didn’t expect him to burst upon the scene as quickly as he did but — as every footballer knows — when that chance comes along you have to take it.

“As for Jesse, I watched a programme about him on MUTV earlier this week and he talked about how he had grown up from being a boy to an FA Cup winner. He’s almost three years older than me — I looked up to him when I was at United and he has always looked out for me.

“When his chance came under Louis van Gaal, he took it and now he’s reaping the rewards.

“The three of us have now all played on the biggest stage in the Premier League. Not everyone can say that. A lot of players come through the academies and never have the chance to play at somewhere like Old Trafford. For both of them to do that at United and me at West Ham is a huge achievement.”

Born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, where his father, a police officer, was stationed, Fletcher’s family moved back to their roots in Bolton when he was three years old.

He joined Bolton Wanderers at nine but it wasn’t only on the football pitch that the young Fletcher excelled, having left secondary school with 12 GCSEs at A or B level.

“I went to one of the best schools in Bolton, Canon Slade Church of England Secondary School — and managed to get good grades.

“My dad is still in the police, he trains new officers these days while my mum was a hairdresser but now works at Marks & Spencer. She’s sacrificed a lot to give myself, my brother and sister our opportunities.”

2015: Fletcher celebrates scoring their third goal during the U21 Premier League match between Man United and City at Old Trafford  Photo: Man Utd via Getty Images
Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

The decision to leave United and come to London and West Ham must have been a difficult one for Fletcher. “I could have stayed there and maybe I would have got a chance,” he explained. “I decided instead to go out on loan to Barnsley and once I had the taste of first-team football, I didn’t want to go back to United because they couldn’t promise me that.

“The decision for me was to either go back to United, play for their Under-23s and wait for an opportunity which sometimes never comes — or go to a club where you are going to be in and around the first team.

“I chose the latter, which is why I’m at West Ham.

“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I came thinking that I would hopefully be a player for the future but that if I impressed I would get my chance.

“I scored a few goals in pre-season and the manager, Slaven Bilic said, ‘You’re not going anywhere. I want you to stay with us and be part of the senior squad.’ “That was a huge confidence booster for me and since then I believe I’ve been involved in every match-day squad except the first one against Chelsea.

“I had about 15 family and friends at Old Trafford on Sunday and they’ll be there again for this game.

“I get back up to Bolton when I can but I’m happy down in London.

“I have a good friendship with West Ham players Michail Antonio and Sam Byram, who live near me.

“Those two particularly — and Darren Randolph — have taken me in and made me feel welcome.”

Fletcher already has good memories of Wembley finals, having played — and scored — for Barnsley in their Football League Trophy and Play-off Final victories there last season.

“For me to get there a third time, especially for West Ham, would just be unbelievable,” he said.

You can follow tonight's match between West Ham and Manchester United live on Standard Sport. Click here to find out how.

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