Manchester United Set for Friendly Against ASEAN All-Stars in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Manchester United is set to face the ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday, May 28, at 1:45 p.m. BST at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. This match marks the first of two post-season friendlies for the Red Devils, who are looking to engage with fans in Asia after a challenging season.

The match comes just days after Manchester United finished their Premier League season with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, ensuring a 15th-place finish in the league. The trip to Malaysia is part of a financial strategy, as top clubs like United increasingly turn to global tours for revenue. The club is expected to generate around £8 million from this tour, which also includes a later friendly against Hong Kong.

The ASEAN All-Stars, formed in 2014 to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan victims, consists of players from Southeast Asia and will only play their second match when they face Manchester United. In their first encounter, they suffered a defeat to the Indonesia national team.

This week’s friendly will be broadcast live on MUTV, with coverage beginning at 1 p.m. BST. For fans not able to watch live, match highlights will later be available on United’s official website and social media channels.

Manchester United has announced a 32-man squad for the tour, featuring key players like captain Bruno Fernandes, Andre Onana, and Alejandro Garnacho. However, some players, including Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui, are absent due to injuries.

Head coach Ruben Amorim emphasized the team’s desire to respect the Malaysian fans and put on a compelling performance. “Every game has a big responsibility because all our fans are watching,” he said.

The match against ASEAN All-Stars will be closely followed by an additional friendly against Hong Kong on May 30. With no European football next season, Manchester United aims to build momentum as they prepare for a pivotal summer.