ASEAN All-Stars Stun Manchester United with 1-0 Win

Manchester United's dismal season continues with a 1-0 loss to a Southeast Asian XI in a friendly match in Kuala Lumpur. Get the latest football news and updates.

Manchester United's dismal season just got worse. They suffered a 1-0 loss to a Southeast Asian XI in a friendly match held in sweltering Kuala Lumpur, right in front of a massive crowd of 72,550 fans. The Red Devils looked sluggish and lacking in creativity, especially in the heat.

Ruben Amorim's team, which had a disappointing season finishing 15th in the Premier League—their lowest since 1974—failed to impress. The ASEAN All-Stars capitalized on this, with Burmese player Maung Maung Lwin scoring the winning goal in the 71st minute. Despite the loss, Amorim's priority now is preparing the team for their next challenge.

Defeat in Malaysia.#MUFC || #MUTOUR25

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 28, 2025

The Match Highlights:

• Score: Manchester United 0, ASEAN All-Stars 1
• Goal Scorer: Maung Maung Lwin (71')
• Attendance: 72,550 at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur
• United's Next Match: Hong Kong team on Friday

Amorim reflected on the loss, emphasizing the need for his team to develop a winning mentality and hunger. The fans' boos, he said, are something the team needs to take seriously and work on improving for the next season. United's struggles in front of goal continue to be a concern, supporting reports of their potential £62.5 million investment in Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

The match against the Southeast Asian XI didn't exactly thrill the crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, with some fans leaving before the final whistle and a chorus of boos ringing out afterward. Manchester United's ongoing struggles to find the back of the net were on full display, reinforcing reports that they're willing to splurge £62.5 million on Wolves' Matheus Cunha to bolster their attack.

When asked about the potential Cunha transfer, Amorim stayed tight-lipped, refusing to confirm or deny the rumors. Despite the frustration evident on his face during the match, the Portuguese coach was relieved to avoid any new injuries and was looking forward to heading to Hong Kong with his team. As for the boos from the crowd, Amorim seemed unfazed, suggesting the team would use the feedback to improve.

“We were slow and we still don't have it in us to win every exercise in training, every game,” he said.

“The boos from the fans, it's something that we need.”

He added: “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.”

In their first post-season friendly in Asia, Manchester United fielded a strong lineup featuring regulars like Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, and Andre Onana. Despite the high temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius, the ASEAN All-Stars started the match on a more promising note, creating scoring opportunities. They had a close call in the 16th minute with a shot narrowly going wide, and Onana made an impressive low save that won over some of the United supporters in the crowd.

United's Attempt Falls Short

In the second half, captain Bruno Fernandes injected some energy into the game with a dazzling half-volley, momentarily brightening up the match. Alejandro Garnacho also made an impact off the bench, showcasing his lively presence on the wing. Although United improved in the second half, they couldn't capitalize on their chances.

The turning point came in the 71st minute when Maung Maung Lwin scored a stunning goal for the Southeast Asian side, finding himself one-on-one with Tom Heaton before firing into the top corner. Heaton soon made a crucial save to prevent further embarrassment for United. The Red Devils will look to bounce back in their next match against the Hong Kong team on Friday.