Manchester United suffered a lone goal defeat in the hands of ASEAN All-Stars in their first post-season tour friendly in Malaysia on Wednesday 28 May, 2025.
United head coach, Ruben Amorim, admitted his side may “need the boos” after they suffered a 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars in the first fixture of their post-season tour.
English defender, Harry Maguire, captained the side as first-teamers Casemiro, Patrick Dorgu, Andre Onana, Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund all started for struggling United in Kuala Lumpur.
Among 11 changes at half-time with the score locked at 0-0, were Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and experienced defender Jonny Evans, however, Maung Maung Lwin found the back of the net in the 71st minute for the South-East Asia XI to load another defeat on Amorim’s weak side.
The Premier League side were booed in parts for their dull display by those in attendance.
In his reaction following the outcome of the encounter in the Malaysian Capital, Portuguese manager, Amorim, said: “I’m always guilty of the performance of the team, no matter what. Since I’ve been here from the first day, I am guilty. The boos from the fans is something that we need, maybe. Because every game we lost in the Premier League, they [fans] were always there [supporting].
“It’s like the way of playing, if they see that it’s not working, they will change the way they behave. But I felt when we finished and walked away, the supporters were with us. But, again, let’s wait for the next season.”
This post-season tour match is coming one week after Manchester United were defeated in the Uefa Europa League 2024/25 final by Tottenham Hotspur right inside the Estadio San Mamés, Bilbao, Spain – home ground of Athletic Club – on Wednesday 21 May, 2025.
Brennan Johnson netted the only goal of the showdown for Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs to hand Tottenham the trophy and a spot in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26.
Garnacho’s future at Old Trafford remains doubtful, and Fernandes has also attracted interest from Saudi Professional League club, Al Hilal.
Amorim will guide United through another friendly in Hong Kong on Friday for their final fixture of the tour which is reportedly set to fetch the club £8m.
Following the conclusion of the Premier League 2024/25, Amorim told fans that “the good days are coming” as the former Sporting CP boss apologised for a wretched campaign during an impassioned end-of-season address.
