Manchester United’s dismal season hit a new low with a shock 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All Stars in Kuala Lumpur — their first visit to Malaysia in 16 years, and the opening match of a controversial post-season tour.
Fans mocked the tour when it was announced, and United’s display only fueled further criticism. The ASEAN All Stars — a team of regional players from 12 nations — secured a surprise win thanks to Myanmar’s Maung Maung Lwin, who broke the offside trap and slotted past Tom Heaton in the second half.
Though a friendly, the defeat added to the gloom following United’s worst league finish in 51 years and failure to qualify for Europe after losing the Europa League final to Spurs.
Alejandro Garnacho made a brief second-half appearance, possibly his last for the club, after being sidelined for disciplinary reasons. Despite flashes of brilliance, his efforts came to nothing — a wrongly flagged assist and a wild long-range shot among his few highlights.
The lone bright spot came from 17-year-old Jim Thwaites, whose last-ditch tackle denied a second goal. His commitment stood in stark contrast to the lethargy of many senior players in the 31°C heat and high humidity.
A crowd of 70,000 turned up hoping for entertainment but left disappointed. United barely troubled their opponents, with blocked shots from Chido Obi and off-target efforts from Bruno Fernandes among their few chances.
United next face Hong Kong’s national team on Friday, while some players head to India for promotional events.
The tour is expected to generate £10 million before the squad resumes pre-season in Sweden and the USA in July.
