Manchester United’s turbulent 2024–25 campaign ended on another sour note as ASEAN All-Stars stunned the Premier League giants with a 1-0 victory in front of over 72,000 fans at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The match, part of the Maybank Challenge Cup 2025, opened United’s post-season tour of Asia with disappointment and boos from supporters.

Match Recap: ASEAN All-Stars 1-0 Manchester United

The decisive goal came in the 71st minute, when Myanmar international Maung Maung Lwin latched onto a clever assist from Adrian Segecic of Sydney FC to beat Andre Onana.

Despite naming a relatively strong starting XI featuring Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Rasmus Højlund, and Onana, United lacked sharpness and fluidity. Manager Ruben Amorim made 11 substitutions at halftime, bringing in the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, but the Red Devils failed to break through the All-Stars’ well-organized defense.

The crowd, mostly United supporters, voiced their displeasure at full-time with a chorus of boos, capping off what has been a disappointing season for the English club.

Amorim: “We Choke in Every Game”

Speaking after the match, Ruben Amorim offered a brutally honest assessment of his side’s mindset:

“We don’t have it in us not to choke in every exercise, in every game. Mental strength is what separates winners, and right now, we’re nowhere near it.”

The Portuguese coach emphasized that, while the result is technically meaningless, it reveals deeper issues in terms of mentality and team cohesion.

A Season to Forget for Manchester United

This defeat adds another lowlight to United’s season, which included:

• A 15th-place finish in the Premier League
• A Europa League final loss to Tottenham Hotspur
• Heavy criticism of squad consistency and leadership

The post-season tour, intended to rebuild morale and strengthen fan relations in Asia, has instead begun with further embarrassment.

What’s Next?

Manchester United will look to salvage some pride as they continue their Asian tour with a match against the Hong Kong national team. With pressure mounting on Amorim and questions swirling about squad reinforcements, this fixture becomes more than just a friendly—it’s a test of resilience and a chance to reset ahead of the 2025–26 season.

 
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