The season opener at Old Trafford has raised more questions than answers for Manchester United, who fell 1-0 to Arsenal in the first round of the Premier League. Beyond the result, the biggest talking point was the absence of Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund from the squad, fueling speculation over their imminent departure from the club.

Garnacho drifts further from Old Trafford

The Argentine forward, already sidelined during the preseason tour, has lost the confidence of coach Rúben Amorim, with whom he has clashed several times in recent months. His involvement at the end of last season was minimal, totaling just 73 minutes across four matches.

This has opened the door for a transfer. Chelsea appear as the main suitor, and the player himself has expressed his desire to wear blue. The move would also benefit United’s financial fair play situation, since Garnacho counts as a homegrown player after joining from Atlético Madrid in 2020.

Højlund attracting interest across Europe

As for the Danish striker, his future also looks set away from Manchester. Despite featuring in the preseason tour of the United States and scoring in a friendly, being left out against Arsenal has sparked speculation. Clubs such as AC Milan have already shown interest, with officials publicly admitting they are considering a move.

“Højlund is an interesting option, but the market is unpredictable. Everything can change in a matter of days,” said Igli Tare to Sportmediaset, leaving the door open to negotiations.

Fresh start with Cunha and Mbeumo

Meanwhile, new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo made strong debuts. The Brazilian led the team in dribbles and duels won, showcasing an attacking power United had been lacking. The Frenchman, on the other hand, was a constant headache for the opposition defense, creating chances and adding pace to the attack.

Despite the defeat, the statistics show improvement: 22 shots, 7 on target, and clear dominance in the final third. Everything suggests that Manchester United is betting on a new attacking cycle, even if it comes at the cost of saying goodbye to two of their brightest young prospects.