ASEAN All Stars 1-0 Manchester United: Maung Maung Lwin scored the only goal in post-season friendly to pile more humiliation on Ruben Amorim’s squad in Kuala Lumpur
Manchester United have sunk to a new low with Maung Maung Lwin earning the ASEAN All Stars a post-season friendly win in sweaty Kuala Lumpur.
Ruben Amorim made 16 substitutions during a low-intensity run out at the national stadium in front of an excitable crowd. That included most of his big names, with Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes being introduced at the break, but none of them could create much as they lost again.
And third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton had to pick the ball out of his net midway through the second period when Burmese winger Lwin – who has two goals in 20 games in the Thai league – got on the end of Adrian Segecic’s defence-splitting pass to score the only goal. United next face a Hong Kong selection on Friday afternoon in similarly difficult conditions.
Here are the talking points from another strange and dispiriting day for Amorim and his team.
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Harry the local hero
The most popular man in Kuala Lumpur – based on the loud cheers every time he received possession – was Harry Maguire. Every time the England defender received and completed a basic pass the volume went up.
And when he got on the end of a deep corner there was a big roar despite no real danger being created.
The sight of Maguire being substituted in a quadruple change after half an hour was a major disappointment, then. Though at least for his sake he was not around when United went behind.
Slow start
That change also coincided with United beginning to (briefly) play some cohesive football. They were second best for the opening 30 minutes with Ayden Heaven particularly given the runaround by Hai Long Nguyen.
Yet the introduction of several young players brought more life from the exalted visitors. Jaydan Kamason and Shea Lacey were both proactive and Kobbie Mainoo, given the armband by Maguire, stood out in midfield before he was replaced.
The introduction of Fernandes and Garnacho at the break should have seen United step it up but they continued to struggle.
Hojlund can’t keep the ball
It is hard to be anything nearing positive about Rasmus Hojlund, whose first touch and control was all over the place in another grim struggle for the centre-forward.
He is sapped of confidence and needs a big reset. But whether that is possible in the off-season remains to be seen.
There is a player in there somewhere but so much has happened in the past two seasons that Old Trafford increasingly looks like the place where it cannot be unlocked.
Garnacho returns
He may have reportedly been told to find a new club after being left on the bench until late against Tottenham last week but he came on here and did actually put some work in down the left flank when many of those around him barely made an impact.
What happens to Garnacho remains to be seen but it does seem odd that United would let one of their few long-term bright prospects depart – no matter the potential for disputes.
Berrada remarks
Before the game more than a dozen dignitaries were on the pitch for the ceremonial handshakes and the presence of a jumbo cardboard cheque worth a million in the local currency – or roughly £175,000.
And among the United contingent was Omar Berrada, the chief executive, who also admitted the club’s approach in this summer’s transfer window must be “prudent” after a “difficult season” in which they made a series of “tough decisions.”
Hardly inspiring for fans expecting a huge revamp – despite the expected impending arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m.
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