KUALA LUMPUR – Manchester United head coach Rúben Amorim admitted his side deserved to be booed following their shock 1-0 defeat to the Asean All Stars at Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night.
Speaking after the match, Amorim said the reaction from fans could serve as a wake-up call after a season to forget for the 13-time Premier League champions.
“The boos might actually be something we need,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“Every time we lost in the Premier League, the fans were always there for us. I could feel the support even at the end of games — they stood by us. But now, perhaps this reaction will open our eyes. We need to be better next season.”
Amorim, who took over United mid-season, added that he empathised with the supporters’ frustration, drawing on his own experience as a lifelong Benfica fan.
“Even I was frustrated when I was younger, watching my favourite team struggle. So I completely understand the sentiment. But loyalty and support should remain unshaken, no matter the circumstances.”
The loss capped off a dismal stretch for United. Less than 24 hours after sealing a reported £62.5 million (RM300 million) move for Wolverhampton striker Matheus Cunha, their old problems in front of goal re-emerged.
Despite using 25 outfield players and dominating 65% possession in the heat and humidity of Kuala Lumpur, United managed just three shots on target.
Myanmar winger Maung Maung Lwin’s 71st-minute strike sealed the win for a low-profile Asean All Stars side — a squad thrown together with just two days of training — and sent large sections of the 72,550 crowd into raptures.
By full-time, those cheers had turned to loud boos aimed at the Red Devils, with many fans having paid up to RM1,500 for the chance to see their team in action.
While Amorim faced the press alone, his counterpart Kim Sang-sik was still beaming after what he described as the proudest moment of his coaching career.
“I’ve always been a Manchester United fan — for me, they’re one of the best clubs in the world,” said the South Korean.
“To win against the team you idolised as a kid is an indescribable feeling. This is the proudest moment of my coaching journey.”
Sang-sik praised his players’ unity and spirit, marvelling at how quickly they gelled despite limited preparation.
“We trained together for just two days, yet the players looked like they’d been teammates for 20 years. They were organised, focused, and full of heart.”
The victory also carried emotional weight for Sang-sik, who recalled United’s influence on football fans in South Korea, particularly after Park Ji-sung’s success at Old Trafford.
“In South Korea, United have a massive following, especially after Park Ji-sung became the first Korean to play for them. We all grew up admiring the club. So to beat them — even in a friendly — is something we will cherish forever.”
The defeat follows a season widely considered to be United’s worst in decades.
They finished 15th in the Premier League with just 42 points and lost the UEFA Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, missing out on Champions League football.
United’s post-season Asian tour, expected to generate around $10 million (RM42 million), continues with a fixture against Hong Kong on 30 May. – May 29, 2025