Manchester United flies to Malaysia: Stars fight against ASEAN All-Stars!

Manchester United flies to Malaysia: Stars fight against ASEAN All-Stars!

Manchester United (MU) headed to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia following their recent triumph with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League. The team brings with it its strongest lineup, including stars like Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount and Casemiro. A private plane transported the entire team, who arrived in Malaysia today, May 26, to prepare for a training session. The team will also hold a press conference and conduct pitchside activities before taking on the Southeast Asian All-Star team at Bukit Jalil Stadium on May 28 at 7:45 p.m.

The Southeast Asian All-Star team consists of players from the Vietnamese national team and is led by coach Kim Sang-sik. The players include Nguyen Hoang Duc, Do Duy Manh, Nguyen Van Vi and Nguyen Hai Long, while Nguyen Quang Hai has stepped down from the squad to focus on his club, Hanoi Police Club. Coach Kim Sang-sik emphasizes the honor of representing the best players from ASEAN countries.

Highlight of the game

Manchester United, with a total value of around €700 million according to Transfermarkt, remains a standout brand in sport despite a 15th place finish in the Premier League. The upcoming match not only provides competition but also a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese players such as Hoang Duc and Duy Manh to gain experience, especially in view of the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.

Anticipation is high for the game on May 28 with over 80,000 fans expected at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. This encounter is special as it is the only chance for fans in Southeast Asia to see Manchester United live this year. The Maybank Challenge Cup is organized by ProEvents and sanctioned by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and the Asean Football Federation (AFF).

Event details

Before the game there will be a First Team Bus Parade at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur tomorrow at 2pm. The pre-match event starts at 6:30pm and includes performances from popular artists such as Datuk Ramli Sarip, Bunkface and Nidji. Support for the event comes from global partners such as Maybank and Malaysia Airlines.

The last time Manchester United visited Malaysia was in 2009 when they played two friendly matches against Malaysia XI. This match, which takes place after the final home game of the season against Aston Villa, is part of the club's post-season Asian tour, which continues in Hong Kong on May 30.

For the ASEAN side, the squad includes a mix of experienced and emerging talent, with footballers from Malaysia also represented, including goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli and attacking midfielder Sergio Aguero. Khiev Sameth, president of the Southeast Asian Football Federation (AFF), praises coach Kim Sang-sik as a symbol of progress and professionalism in the region.

and TheStar.com.my provides further context.