BIG MISTAKE: the owner of Fulham is afraid that the £25m transfer decision will backfire in Manchester United clash

Fulham will hope their £25 million transfer decision doesn’t come back to haunt them when they face Manchester United. The Cottagers sanctioned the sale of João Palhinha’s former midfield partner, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, to Napoli for around £25 million in 2022. While Palhinha has flourished as Fulham’s defensive anchor, they have lacked a dominant midfield partner to complement him.

Against a team like Manchester United, who possess dynamic midfielders such as Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, and Casemiro, Fulham’s midfield balance will be tested. Anguissa’s presence could have provided the physicality and ball-carrying ability needed to challenge United in the middle of the park. Instead, Marco Silva has relied on a rotating cast of central midfielders, including Tom Cairney, Harrison Reed, and Sasa Lukić, none of whom offer the same blend of power and technical ability as Anguissa.

The sale made financial sense at the time, helping Fulham reinvest in other areas. However, Anguissa has since become a key figure in Napoli’s Serie A-winning squad, proving himself as one of Europe’s best all-action midfielders. His ability to break up play and drive forward with the ball would have been invaluable against a United side that thrives in transition.

Fulham will hope Palhinha can dominate on his own, but if Manchester United exploit midfield gaps, questions may be asked about whether letting Anguissa leave was a mistake. With Fulham aiming for a strong finish this season, this game could highlight the long-term impact of their £25 million decision.