After a grueling season that even they admit has fallen short of expectations, perhaps not too much should be read into a post-season exhibition match.
A night to remember for Southeast Asia
While United’s tour was always more about connecting with fans and generating revenue — the club hasn’t played in Malaysia since 2009 — the ASEAN All-Stars saw the match as a chance to make a statement. And they did.
Segecic, one of the standout performers on the night, linked up smartly with Maung Maung Lwin to cap off a well-executed move that proved to be the game’s only goal.
To be fair, had this been a competitive fixture, United might have found a few extra gears. But the numbers speak volumes: over 70,000 fans turned out, nearly all clad in United red, showing the enduring pull of one of football’s most iconic brands — even in their current, less illustrious era.
The Asia swing — which concludes in Hong Kong this Friday — is expected to bring in around £8 million. In return, United brought several big names to Kuala Lumpur, including Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, André Onana, Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Rasmus Højlund, and Patrick Dorgu, all of whom started.
ASEAN All-Stars defy the odds
Australia’s Harrison Delbridge, who played the full 90 minutes and was a rock at the back, has just one international cap at age 33. Vietnam’s Nguyễn Hai Long, who tormented United’s right flank early on, has only 10 senior appearances. João Pedro of Timor-Leste hails from a country ranked 197th by FIFA.
Had Southeast Asian standouts like Chanathip Songkrasin or Indonesia’s Europe-based stars featured, the test for United might have been even sterner.
Still, full credit to the All-Stars. They showed up to compete — and to win.
In years past, players from the region might have simply been content to share a pitch with global superstars. That awe still exists, as shown by the post-match scenes: players lingered, jerseys were exchanged, and Thailand’s Worachit Kanitsribampen and Patiwat Khammai even snapped a photo with Fernandes.
But those souvenirs came only after the final whistle. During the match, the ASEAN All-Stars were all business.
A win with lasting meaning
Manchester United will fly out of Malaysia with their millions of fans pleased and the club coffers boosted. But Southeast Asian football will leave with something far more significant: a night to remember, and a result that will echo across the region for years to come.
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