Donald Love played with Middlesbrough-owned Sunderland striker Ashley Fletcher for the Manchester United youth teams.
Former Manchester United and West Ham United prospect Fletcher joined Sunderland on loan from Championship rivals Middlesbrough in the January transfer window.
The 22-year-old striker will remain at the Stadium of Light until the end of the season.
Sunderland defender Love played with Fletcher in the youth teams at Manchester United, and the 23-year-old has suggested that the young striker will prove to be an important player for the Black Cats.
Love told The Northern Echo about Fletcher: “I know Ashley from our time at Manchester United, and he will be a good addition up front.”
“He has a good presence about him, he is a good striker and, for a big man, he is good with his feet,” added Love. “He brings people into play and that is what we need, someone who can hold it up.”
Hope and optimism
Fletcher is a hugely promising and talented young striker, but the 22-year-old has struggled to play consistently well.
With Sunderland struggling for survival in the Championship and needing goals, the former United prospect will have to step up.
It is going to be hard for Fletcher, who joined Middlesbrough from West Ham in the summer of 2017 for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £6.5 million, but the youngster does have the calibre and quality to step up his game.
Love comments about Fletcher should fill the Sunderland fans with hope and optimism that the young striker could fire them to Championship safety.
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