After leaving Manchester United in the summer transfer window, Will Fish could not have imagined that life away from Old Trafford would start this badly.
An injury he suffered during pre-season always meant that the talented young centre-back was always destined to wait before making his debut at his new home.
But, as Cardiff City welcomed Leeds United to South Wales on Saturday afternoon, Will Fish finally found himself on the Bluebirds team-sheet for the very first time. A maiden Cardiff start, coming in their sixth Championship outing of 2024/25.
By the time Cardiff step onto the pitch in matchday seven, however, there could be a brand new face in the dugout.
Erol Bulut played a substantial role in the £1 million – rising to £3 million – deal which brought an end to Fish’s long association with Manchester United in August.
The then-Bluebirds boss confirmed that Fish had been on Cardiff’s radar since that Hibernian loan spell last season. The 2008 FA Cup finalists started watching the Manchester-born 21-year-old as far back as January.
But, after seven months of sitting patiently and waiting to reel Fish in – the defender taking the bait once it became apparent that a first-team role under Erik ten Hag was simply not on the cards – Bulut didn’t even get the chance to enjoy his catch.
Nightmare start for Will Fish as ex-Man Utd man sees Cardiff boss sacked
That 2-0 defeat to Leeds proved to be the proverbial final straw. Bulut was sacked on Sunday.
Now, it would be a little premature to suggest that Fish made a mistake swapping Carrington for the choppy waters of Cardiff. There is still plenty of time to turn a dismal start around.
But with the Bluebirds bottom of the table and still awaiting their first win – and with manager who brought him to the club in the first place now saying his goodbyes – this is certainly not the start the former England Under 19 international would have envisaged when drawing a line under his 14-year stay at his hometown club.
Bulut labelled Fish a player who would add ‘quality’ to Cardiff’s backline just days before the deal was completed last month.
But with his start delayed by injury, the former Gazientep and Fenerbahce coach was denied the chance to put that theory into practice.
Fish played only twice under Bulut. His only other appearance being a half-time sub in the 1-0 defeat by newly-promoted Derby County.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Cardiff waited months to sign the Man United academy graduate
“He is a young defender who has been at Manchester United for many years, so has had a good education from them,” Bulut told Cardiff’s website.
“For the last two years, he was in Hibernian. We watched him and we were interested in him in January too.
“We hope that he will progress with us in a good way. He is still 21 years old, just starting his career and he is good on the ball, good in duels, so he will add to our playing style.
“Of course, he has to push to be in the team. He is not quite ready to play yet, so he will be with us after the international break and hopefully he can add positive things to our game.”
James Rowberry, a former Cardiff Academy Chief who joined the club shortly after the departure of Man United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2024, is reportedly among the early favourites to take over from Bulut.
Man United, as has become commonplace of late, included a buy-back clause and a sell-on clause in Fish’s contract when he departed a few weeks back.
The Red Devils will therefore have the option of re-signing Fish should he put a nightmare start to life in Wales behind him. They would also be in line for a substantial windfall if Cardiff sell for a profit at some point in the future.
The likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Leny Yoro, meanwhile, also picked up injuries during United’s troubled pre-season tour of the USA.
The former, at least, marked his return against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Goalkeeper Andre Onana is convinced Hojlund will bounce back stronger.
Yoro is stepping up his Man United return too, having dispensed with his crutches and returning to Carrington.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
