Ashley Fletcher wants to impress Jose Mourinho by emulating Manchester United young star Marcus Rashford

Manchester United striker Ashley Fletcher has set his sights on following Marcus Rashford's in order to make his way into the first team. The 20-year-old spent the second half of the 2015/16 season on-loan at Barnsley and scored during their 3-1 victory over Millwall in the League One play-off final at Wembley, which helped Barnsely seal promotion to the Championship.

Rashford was handed his first-team debut in the Europa League clash against FC Midtjylland in February by former Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal. He scored on his United and Premier League debut and continued it for England, scoring in the Three Lions' 2-1 victory over Australia.

The teenage striker has scored eight goals in 18 appearances for United. His form has seen him earn a new four-year contract, with an option to further extend it by a year. Fletcher will return to Old Trafford and he is keen on emulating Rashford in order to impress new manager Jose Mourinho.

"Hopefully people might think of us together as young players at United, but what Marcus has done is unbelievable," Fletcher explained, as quoted by the Mirror.

"Scoring for United's first team, scoring for England.... He deserves every bit of the attention he is getting — but maybe I can run him for his place next season at United if I am back there.

"We have played together at most age groups at United – Under 16s, Under 18s, Under 21s, and to play one day together in the first team would be amazing, a huge achievement.

"I hope if Jose [Mourinho] was watching the play-off final it might have given him something to smile about.

"I'd like to think that some of us youngsters might do a job for him but Manchester United is a huge club and have to spend big money to compete for the Premier League title.