Manchester United loanee Ashley Fletcher admits that he has relished the experience of playing competitive first team football at Barnsley this season.
The 20-year-old forward joined the League One outfit from Manchester United on loan in January and has played key role in the club’s bid to earn promotion to the Championship in the latter half of the campaign.
His five League One goals in 18 appearances have come in handy for Barnsley as the club look to hold on to the last playoff spot, with just one league game left in the season.
Fletcher has revealed that Manchester United have kept close tabs on his performances at Oakwell and admits that he has enjoyed the opportunity to play senior first team football at a competitive level.
The young forward said in a press conference, via Barnsley's site: “My Under 21s manager, Warren Joyce, rings me after every game and keeps in touch with me. He’s watched a few of my games and given me good feedback and things to work on as well.
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“League games are totally different to Under-21s games and it’s a completely different environment, one that I have relished.
“Scoring goals for any striker is the main objective, luckily I’ve managed to get seven and I’d like a few more at the weekend.
“It has been massive and has aided my confidence and I’d like to think that I’d put in some good performances along the way.”
Fletcher is eying first team football at Manchester United next season, but admits that he would love to return to Oakwell again on loan next season if necessary.
“I’ll go back to United at the end of the season and try and push my way into the first team, if not then maybe another loan spell away from the club.
“Hopefully I can do that in the Championship with Barnsley next season and we should be there. It’s a difficult one for now but I’ll have to go back there and see what happens.”
Fletcher will be looking to help Barnsley beat table toppers Wigan Athletic in the final game of the season to secure a top six spot in the League One table.
