In a disappointing display on Wednesday, Manchester United faced boos from their supporters after suffering a 1-0 defeat to the ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This loss highlights the club’s continuing struggles as they transition from a woeful domestic season into their series of preseason friendlies.
Following their final Premier League match—a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday—manager Ruben Amorim and his squad arrived in Malaysia, closing out what has been branded one of United’s worst-ever league performances, finishing in 15th place.
The match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium was sealed by a second-half goal from Maung Maung Lwin, a winger hailing from the Thai League 1 team Lamphun Warriors. This defeat, against a side primarily composed of Southeast Asian internationals and local league players, left the local crowd visibly displeased.
Responding to the fans’ reactions, Amorim expressed his consistent sense of responsibility for the team’s performance. “I always feel guilty, as I mentioned after the last game. I bear the weight of the team’s performance,” he told reporters. He acknowledged the boos as a natural response from supporters frustrated with the team’s ongoing struggles. “If they see that our style of play isn’t effective, they’ll naturally react differently. However, I felt their support throughout the entire season,” he noted, optimistic about the future.
For the exhibition match, Amorim opted for a reshuffled lineup, featuring players such as André Onana, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte, and Rasmus Højlund from the start. Key players like Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, and Amad Diallo entered the match as substitutes at halftime. However, United’s pursuit of back-to-back victories, a feat last achieved in March, remains elusive.
“We absolutely must perform better,” Amorim admitted. “Our pace was lacking, and we must bring the instinct to win to both training and matches.” He emphasized that, while some players faced risks in terms of injury, the priority was to show respect for their fans by fielding a strong squad. “Winning these matches is essential; however, we must move forward,” he added.
In the aftermath of the match, Amorim declined to comment on speculation surrounding Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha’s potential signing, though CEO Omar Berrada assured that the club has been strategizing improvements for the upcoming summer transfer window. “We have been gearing up for various situations for months and now have clarity on where to invest,” Berrada shared with MUTV in Malaysia.
United’s squad will conclude their tour with one final match against the national team of Hong Kong this Friday, May 30, 2025, before going their separate ways for the summer break.