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Tuesday 27 May 2025 20:15
Manchester United’s players tackled the sultry, oppressive heat of Malaysia, as they trained before local supporters on Tuesday evening.
The Reds will be back at the Bukit Jalil Stadium in less than 24 hours to take on the ASEAN All-Star but, first, a dress rehearsal for the 32-man group.
Kuala Lumpur’s national stadium is cavernous, with 87,000 yellow seats rising up in three tiers towards the heavy, storm-threatening sky.
We, as the media team, arrived early to recce the surroundings and we were joined by Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, who were tasked with completing a fitness session following recent injuries.
Just standing and watching was tiring enough and, naturally, both players were soon soaked in sweat, taking liquids on board.
Behind them, the stands close to the tunnel were beginning to fill up with fervent followers of the team – finally, for the first time in 16 years, they could see their cherished Reds playing football up close.
A group of young mascots excitedly lingered close to the changing rooms, asking who they were about to see and they soon found out.
Ruben Amorim, as he usually is, was out well before his players and it was heartening to hear our head coach serenaded with the Stretford End’s signature chant.
Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte soon followed, along with the rest of the lads, and all were given as equally a vociferous reception, with particular attention paid to Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire.
With the Premier League season at an end and the summer holidays on the horizon, the session was not as intense as those we’d usually see on tour.
But it still looked a good workout for the squad, particularly the youngsters who have travelled – and it may be that Amorim calls upon them in these two friendlies.
Joshua Zirkzee gets his sweat on.
The Academy has been our past and will be our future, as he stated in his pre-match press conference, and it was brilliant to see Jonny Evans – in his last trip as a United player – marshalling a defence also containing Tyler Fredricson and Reece Munro, on their maiden first-team trip of this nature, in a warm-up game.
Chido Obi took his opportunities to finish well and it will be interesting to get a better look at the young Dane who we’ve seen glimpses of in recent months.
Our sponsors out in Malaysia were afforded the chance to have photos with the squad before they left the pitch, while fans were delighted when each player stopped to sign shirts and pose for photos.
It’s been a difficult and disappointing season for all concerned with Manchester United but days like these remind you just how loved we still are across the world.
And it should be some occasion tomorrow when the support is magnified hundreds of times over in this impressive and modern arena.
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Tuesday 27 May 2025 20:15
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