Barnes storms into Gulls squad
United are taking the 20-year-old Plymouth Argyle striker on loan to the end of the season, boosting their depleted roster of strikers.
And both Pilgrims boss Paul Mariner and United manager Paul Buckle believe that ex-Home Park trainee Barnes, 6ft tall, can make a big success of the move.
"He's played in our first team and scored this season, so he's coming along," said Mariner.
"He's got a lot of attributes that you want — he's mobile and aggressive.
"He is at a stage where it is probably a good idea for him to go out and, hopefully, be a star there."
Buckle said: "Ashley is an out-and-out centre-forward.
"He's strong, he's quick and he can score goals.
"He's much needed help for our front line."
It was during a loan spell at Eastbourne Borough that Barnes scored the opening goal and generally gave United a testing night in a 4-2 victory for the Sussex side in December last season.
"Ashley is someone we had training with us a couple of years ago," said Buckle.
"I really liked him then, but it wasn't right for him to join us at the time.
"I recommended him to Eastbourne — and then he went and scored against us.
"We have monitored him ever since, and he has progressed well, playing several games in the Championship.
"Paul Mariner has been great to let him come to us, and it's really nice to have a good relationship with Plymouth now.
"Ashley could have gone to a couple of other clubs, but he has chosen to come here, which is an added bonus."
United, who were also trying to sign Crawley striker Charles Ademeno before the closure of the January Transfer Window frustrated that move, could have at least one more new face on board by the time they face Port Vale at Plainmoor on Saturday.
They are known to be in the market for a midfield player.
There has been speculation linking them with Chelsea's 20-year-old Liam Bridcutt, who recently returned to Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at Stockport County.
Meanwhile, a gaggle of other League clubs are now on Ademeno's trail, and Crawley manager Steve Evans says he is resigned to losing him.
There is still a good chance that United left-back Kevin Nicholson will go out on loan this week.
Although no deal has been agreed yet, BSP promotion chasers Mansfield and Stevenage remain interested.
Elsewhere, Bradford City's Stuart McCall has become the eleventh managerial casualty in League Two this season.
Notts County have been responsible for two of them.
McCall has resigned after more than two-and-a-half years in charge at Valley Parade.
The Bantams, the best supported team in the division, slipped to 16th after Bury inflicted their sixth home defeat and left them with only three wins from 14 games in front of their own fans.
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