Town’s first summer recruit spent seven years in United’s academy
Stephen Page
15:57, 18 Jun 2026Updated 16:04, 18 Jun 2026
Ashley Fletcher of Manchester United U21s celebrates scoring their third goal during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between United and Manchester City at Old Trafford
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Ashley Fletcher celebrates a goal for Manchester United Under-21s against Manchester City in 2015
Huddersfield Town signing Ashley Fletcher admits he couldn’t have asked “for a better start” in his career after coming through the youth ranks at Manchester United.
Town’s first summer recruit spent seven years in United’s academy after joining the club in 2009.
Fletcher went on to depart the Red Devils in 2016 without making a senior appearance, but reflecting on his spell with the Premier League side, the striker said in his signing interview with fellow ex-United forward Fraizer Campbell on HTTV: “I don’t think you can ask for a better start in a football career really.
“We both were taught by probably the greatest manager, his principles fed right through the academy, obviously Sir Alex (Ferguson), and then you’ve got people like Warren Joyce, Paul McGuinness, Tommy Martin, Tony Whelan, Dave Bushell, just unbelievable people that give you the tools to go out and have a career.
“I think it’s so important that at Man United when we were coming through that it wasn’t just about playing in Man United’s first team, it was about going and having a career, and making a career for yourself in the game, and hence why we’ve both done that, and there’s so many more that you look across the football pyramid and they’re doing that. Obviously a massive credit to Manchester United, and we’ve both benefited from that.”
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After leaving United, Fletcher went on to have permanent spells with West Ham United, Middlesbrough, Watford and Blackpool, as well as loans with Sunderland, New York Red Bulls, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.
The 30-year-old has now returned to West Yorkshire with the Terriers, with the signing adding: “I was born in Keighley, and I know about the area, so for me one thing that the Huddersfield Town fans can expect from me is hard work first and foremost, and I’ll do everything to do that on the pitch.
“Then obviously hopefully the quality comes after that as well, but the basis has to be hard work, and fight and determination, and that’s a non-negotiable for me.”