Manchester United’s stars were ruthlessly mocked by fans online after being seen on open-top bus parade – before suffering defeat to ASEAN All-Stars.
United hit a new low as they limply lost the first of their two post-season friendlies in Malaysia and Hong Kong despite Bruno Fernandes, Amad, Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Alejandro Garnacho all featuring.
ASEAN All-Stars, an exhibition side made up of Southeast Asian internationals, lifted the Maybank Challenge Cup after Maung Maung Lwin’s winner at the 84,00 seater Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
The humiliating loss comes just three days after Ruben Amorim’s side succumbed to a 15th place finish in the Premier League – their worst result since relegation in 1974 and just the second time in 35 years they have missed out on European competition.
Prior to the match, United were already on the receiving end of some jibes from rival fans on social media after a video of their stars on an open-top bus went viral.
A clip of four first-team stars – Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven – atop the bus in Kuala Lumpur went viral with the caption: ‘Manchester United parading in Malaysia. What a joke of a club’.
Man United were ruthlessly mocked by fans online after being seen on open-top bus parade
Shortly afterwards, United suffered an embarrassing defeat by ASEAN All Stars
The caption on the video itself read: ‘No.15 EPL parade in Malaysia’ – making reference to United’s poor league finish in the 2024-25 campaign.
In the replies, one user wrote: ‘Paraded like the circus has come to town’.
Hours later, furious United supporters mocked the club after they slumped to an embarrassing defeat 1-0 against ASEAN All-Stars.
United wasted no time jetting away on their post-season tour in the Far East, with the squad flying out just hours after they beat Aston Villa 2-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mail Sport understands that the club is being paid around £8million for the trip, which will see them play in Kuala Lumpur, Malysia, then in Hong Kong.
The tour had been overshadowed by uncertainity surrounding a number of key United stars’ futures.
Alejandro Garnacho came on as a substitute against ASEAN All-Stars despite being told he needs to ‘pray’ he can find a new club in front of his team-mates by a raging Amorim last week.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford’s agent reportedly held a meeting with Barcelona chiefs on Wednesday over a summer move.
United flew out to Malaysia for their post-season tour just hours after losing to Aston Villa
United will conclude their tour with a clash against the Hong Kong national team in the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium.
However, that match will clash with the date for the local cup final at the Mong Kok Stadium.
ProEvents are behind the tour, which is presented by Snapdragon – United’s kit sponsor.
United are obliged to release their players for international duty on May 31, with the Nationas League and World Cup qualifiers set to be played in early June.
