Manchester United forward Ashley Fletcher says he felt no bitterness towards Marcus Rashford after the 18-year-old beat him to a place in the club's first team to begin his meteoric rise last season.
Rashford made his Premier League debut in the United side on Feb 25 as the injury-hit club suffered a striker shortage, while Fletcher had been sent out on loan to gain first-team football experience.
Though 20-year-old Fletcher has had a successful stint at Barnsley -- helping them to two Wembley victories in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final and League One play-off final -- it has been a far less glamorous path than Rashford's.
Fletcher and Rashford were together in the England under-20 squad for the match against Canada in Doncaster in March, in which the home side lost 2-1.
Rashford, however, went on to impress for United's first team and received his full England debut on May 27, scoring in a 1-1 draw against Australia, and was then called into the Euro 2016 finals squad.
Speaking about opportunities opening up in his absence, Fletcher told United's official website: "It's just one of those things in football, it is a difficult game. It is unfortunate for me that I left but, at the same time, it's beneficial for my career and hopefully, when I go back, I'll get my chance in the future.
"I tip my hat to Marcus because he's done really well and got his rewards.
"I've been playing with him since he was young, in the U18s and U21s, and he's a really good talent. He's getting what he deserves."
