Why Dropping Garnacho and Onana Today Makes Perfect Sense (And Why It Hurts to Watch)

By Lewis Barnett 25 May, 2025 6 mins read 112 Views

Look, I've been covering United for twelve years now, and I can't remember feeling this conflicted about team selections.

Andre Onana and Alejandro Garnacho didn't even make the bench for today's season finale against Villa. Altay Bayindir gets the gloves, and honestly? Part of me thinks it's about damn time someone shook things up at Old Trafford.

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The Garnacho Situation Just Got Messy

Here's what really happened after that Europa League disaster in Bilbao. My source at Carrington told me Amorim pulled players aside on Saturday - and that's when Garnacho apparently got the news that his United days might be numbered. The kid's been told to "explore options" for next season, which is corporate speak for "find yourself a new club."

The 20-year-old Argentine was visibly frustrated after being benched against Spurs. I mean, who wouldn't be? He'd started ten European matches this season, scored crucial goals, and then gets 19 minutes in a final. That's gotta sting.

But here's the thing that really got under Amorim's skin...

When asked about leaving Garnacho out for Mason Mount, the manager didn't hold back: "Who missed the big opportunity in the first half in the semi-final? Garnacho. Football is like that." Ouch. That's the kind of public calling-out that either motivates a player or completely destroys the relationship.

His Girlfriend Just Confirmed What We All Suspected

Eva, Garnacho's partner, posted their son Enzo in his United kit yesterday with the caption "Last match" followed by crying and heart emojis. I've seen transfer hints before, but this felt different. More final.

His brother Roberto had already stirred the pot after Bilbao, posting: "Working as no one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus." Family drama on social media? Never a good sign for contract negotiations.

The Onana Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Andre Onana cost £47.5m back in 2023. That's not pocket change, even for United.

But let's be honest - he's been inconsistent at best. The howlers keep coming, and when your goalkeeper becomes a meme on social media, you've got a problem. Saudi clubs are apparently sniffing around, which tells you everything about where his career trajectory is heading.

Meanwhile, Emi Martinez (who starts for Villa today) has been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The irony isn't lost on anyone - we're potentially replacing our expensive keeper with the guy we're playing against.

Money Talks, and United's Broke

Here's the uncomfortable truth: United need to sell. The financial situation is genuinely dire, and Garnacho represents one of their most valuable assets. Chelsea showed interest in January, and with his contract situation uncertain, this summer feels like the perfect storm.

Kobbie Mainoo is apparently in the same boat. Two academy graduates who should be the future of the club, potentially sold because the Glazers have run the finances into teh ground. It's depressing, honestly.

Bruno Fernandes has also hinted at leaving, though United will fight tooth and nail to keep their captain. Marcus Rashford and Antony are already being shopped around after their loan spells.

What Amorim Really Thinks

The Portuguese manager offered to quit without compensation if the board lost faith in him. That's either supreme confidence or complete desperation - I can't decide which.

When pressed about player futures in his final press conference, Amorim was deliberately vague: "We have a plan - we were prepared for both situations, with or without Champions League. We have an idea what type of squad we want."

Translation: half this squad is getting binned.

Garnacho has played 58 times this season - more than any other United player. Eleven goals, constant threat, and he's still only 20. In any normal timeline, he'd be getting a new five-year deal and the number 7 shirt.

But this isn't normal. This is United in 2025, where financial reality trumps football sense, and promising young players get sacrificed because the adults in charge made terrible decisions years ago.

Today's team selection tells us everything we need to know about where this club is heading. And frankly? It's not pretty.

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The Premier League is the top-tier football league in England and one of the most popular and competitive domestic football leagues in the world. It is played by twenty teams and follows a system of promotion/relegation in conjunction with the English Football League. The teams compete every year, each playing 38 matches at home and away. Typically the season lasts from August to May. The Premier League, with its star players from around the world and large global audience, is known for playing high-quality sport.

What is the role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League?

In the Premier League the Video Assistant Referee System (VAR) is used to help on-field referees make the right decisions in cases such as goals, penalty decisions and direct red cards. The VAR examines the footage of the incident and provides advice to the on-field referee. They can also view a video replay at the pitchside monitor, before making their final decision. The system is designed to reduce human error that can affect the outcome of matches.

What do you think of the Premier League concept called the 'Big Six?

The Big Six refers collectively to the Premier League’s most successful clubs and influential teams in recent history. Manchester United and Manchester City are often included in the list. Other clubs include Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. These teams have a reputation for a consistently high performance, a huge fan base and financial strength, as well as qualifying frequently for European competitions.

What happens when a Premier League team is relegated to the bottom?

At the end each Premier League, teams who finish in the lowest three positions on the league table, are relegated down to the Championship. The Championship is the second level of English Football. In their place, two of the top teams from the Championship and the winner of Championship playoffs will be promoted to the Premier League.

How has Premier League changed over the years?

The Premier League has evolved significantly since its creation in 1992. It began as a breakaway division from the Football League. This was done to take advantage a lucrative deal for television rights. Since then it has become a worldwide sporting phenomenon. It now attracts top talent all over the world and undergoes brand changes. Revenues have also increased massively. The league has also seen advancements in sports science, training facilities, and stadium technologies, contributing to an overall enhancement of the football spectacle.

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Arsenal boasts an unbeaten streak of 49 Premier League matches from May 2003 to October 2004, the longest in the history of the league.
Durability is exemplified by Gareth Barry who made an impressive 653 Premier League appearances, the highest number to date.
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Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
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https://sportingexcitement.com/premier-league/trents-heartbreaking-goodbye-when-your-own-fans-turn-their-backs