Garnacho Absence Shapes United Response

Manchester United start the 2025/26 season with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal as Garnacho remains sidelined and Cunha and Mbeumo make their mark.

Garnacho Absence Shapes United Response After Arsenal Defeat

Manchester United opened Rubén Amorim's reign with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford. Riccardo Calafiori headed the only goal in the first half, and United created chances through new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both coming close. Debuts from Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt offered a glimpse of a rebuilt defense and a more proactive approach than last season.

Garnacho was not in the squad amid ongoing uncertainty about his future. Before kickoff a Garnacho portrait outside Old Trafford appeared altered with an X drawn over his face, fueling fan chatter. In the second half Cunha won a foul in the corner and interacted with the Stretford End, drawing applause from the stands. The display offered encouragement for Amorim, though questions remain about finishing and depth in the squad.

Amorim inherits a squad that must show a better daily mindset. The visible shift in attitude suggests a mental reset that could translate into rewards if carried through, especially in big games. Cunha and Mbeumo already hint at a productive partnership, but the team needs more clinical finishing and balance across the frontline.

Garnacho's absence puts a spotlight on squad depth and player development. If the winger remains unsettled, United will need alternatives who can spark tempo and creativity. The transfer investment signals ambition, yet true progress will depend on consistency, squad harmony, and how quickly new relationships like Cunha and Mbeumo mature under the new regime.

Highlights

A season of calibration begins, and United will be watched closely to see if the mindset sticks.