Manchester United lost 1-0 to Asean All-Stars this afternoon in the first of their two post-season tour games.
The match was for the most part a turgid display from the Red Devils that encapsulated the dismal performances they put in for most of the 2024/25 season.
The starting XI was a strong one, with Andre Onana in goal and a back three of Harry Maguire, Reece Munro and Ayden Heaven.
Diogo Dalot and Patrick Dorgu were the wing backs.
Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro were in midfield, with Jack Moorhouse and Kobbie Mainoo supporting Rasmus Hojlund up front.
United had the majority of possession and looked solid at the back, with Munro and Heaven both impressing alongside Maguire. However, there was little pace of penetration in the Malaysian sunshine.
Head coach Ruben Amorim made quadruple substitution after thirty minutes, with Jaydan Kamason, Dan Armor, Sekou Koné and Shea Lacey coming on for Dalot, Maguire, Casemiro and Moorhouse.
This was easily United’s best period of the game, with Koné and Lacey dazzling in midfield and Kamason making marauding runs down the right, as well as unleashing a superb drive that nearly opened the scoring.
Amorim made 11 changes at half time.
The second half starting XI was Heaton, Fredricson, Evans, Kukonki, Amass, Fernandes, Collyer, Tyler Fletcher, Amad, Obi and Garnacho.
The ensuing performance was pedestrian and other than Obi trying with a few half-chances, they never looked like troubling their opponents’ goal.
United brought on Jim Thwaites for Fletcher, who showed some nice touches.
A great through ball on 71 minutes saw Maung Maung Lin completely unmarked in front of goal after Kukonki was caught out of position. The Mynamar international made no mistake, slotting it coolly past Heaton.
Collyer struggled, making a number of wayward passes, while Amad put in little effort. Garnacho was lively but profligate.
Kukonki of United and Segecic of the All-stars were booked in extra time.
Thwaites made a brilliant last-ditch tackle to save United from an almost certain second goal when Segecic was put clean through during an all-too-easy counter-attack with most of United’s defence stranded upfield.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
