Manchester United endured yet another humiliating setback as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat against a Southeast Asian XI in front of a 72,550-strong crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium on Wednesday.
The Red Devils, under Ruben Amorim’s management, ended their Premier League campaign in 15th place, their lowest finish since 1974 and showed no signs of recovery in the Malaysian capital, putting on a sluggish and uninspired display in sweltering 32°C (90°F) heat.
Frustration was palpable both on and off the pitch. Supporters streamed out before the final whistle, and those who stayed voiced their discontent with loud boos when the game ended.
Struggling for goals throughout the season, United’s blunt attacking performance reinforced rumours of an imminent £62.5 million ($85 million) move for Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
Amorim, visibly irritated during the match and seen shaking his head on several occasions, declined to confirm the reported transfer.
“We were slow and we still don’t have it in us to win every exercise in training, every game,” Amorim said post-match.
“The boos from the fans, it’s something that we need.”
He continued, “These people believe in Manchester United no matter what the context. It’s our duty to improve the team and to improve the team next season. For me, we need to have that belief, that hunger to win every game, that is important.”
United named a strong starting XI, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andre Onana featuring.
However, it was the ASEAN All Stars who impressed early, creating several chances and nearly scoring in the 16th minute before forcing a solid save from Onana.
Mainoo offered United’s first real attacking spark with a powerful long-range effort that was turned away for a corner, followed by a goal-line clearance that denied him again in the 38th minute.
The second half brought some improvement. Bruno Fernandes injected urgency with a sharp half-volley, and Alejandro Garnacho, whose future at the club appears uncertain, made an energetic appearance off the bench.
Despite the late push, United were stunned in the 71st minute when Myanmar’s Maung Maung Lwin broke through and lashed the ball into the top corner past substitute goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
Heaton was later called into action again to prevent a second goal, sparing United deeper embarrassment.
United will now travel to Hong Kong, where they face a local side on Friday in the final leg of their brief post-season Asian tour.
