Manchester United’s youth set-up has churned out many a player down the years.
Obviously, they don’t always stick around for a two-decade-plus Ryan Giggs-esque career at Old Trafford and many decide to move on to better their prospects of first-team football.
Take Ashley Fletcher, for example. The 20-year-old, who spent some of last season on loan at Barnsley, joined West Ham on Tuesday after his contract with United expired.
.@AshFletcher___ is a Hammer! Read the full story ➡️ https://t.co/cKPxIFM6ct ⚒ #WHUFC #WelcomeFletcher pic.twitter.com/zpn2kNJ8x2
— West Ham United (@WestHam) July 12, 2016
Fletcher has signed a four-year deal with West Ham after it was reported that he rejected a new deal to stay in Manchester at the end of last season.
Ignoring these facts, a United youngster opting to seek pastures new so soon after the appointment of Jose Mourinho – a man that it’s widely claimed rarely gives youth players the chance to prove themselves in his first teams – was enough to prompt a predictable response from many.
Jose getting rid of youth players already
— Joey (@Joey_CFC) July 12, 2016
Mourinho in… Youngsters out
— 𝐉𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬 ⚽️ (@jimmy_chilides) July 12, 2016
Jose already selling youth
— Dan Saunders (@DanSaunders123) July 12, 2016
Mourinho demonstrating his tradition of giving youngsters a chance by letting England Under-20 striker Ashley Fletcher join West Ham.
— Tomek (@PituraThomas) July 12, 2016
Wtf?! Fletcher is a more promising prospect than Wilson, Keane, et al. West Ham have a steal. #Jose is off & running https://t.co/6hO9Nt5oBF
— Mark Donovan (@hughsie_10) July 12, 2016
Why the fuck did we let Ashley fletcher go..fuck sake mourinho
— Pranav (@prrannavvv) July 12, 2016
Again, let’s stress that with his contract already up, this didn’t have much to do with United’s new manager.
But hey, what’s the big deal anyway? All United have to do is stump up a £100m fee for him in four year’s time and he’ll be back up the M6 in no time at all.
