Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United 'need' boos after shock loss to ASEAN All-Stars in post-season tour opener

Manchester United were booed off the pitch after defeat in the opening match of their post-season tour in Asia. It comes just days after finishing 15th in their worst-ever Premier League campaign. "I'm always guilty of the performance," said manager Ruben Amorim, as he suggested his players needed the boos a week after losing the UEFA Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

‘Something we need’ – Amorim reacts to boos after Man Utd defeat in Malaysia

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Just as it looked as if things could not get any worse, Manchester United suffered yet another disappointment — defeat to ASEAN All-Stars.

Ruben Amorim’s side are on a post-season tour in Asia just days after finishing 15th on the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

Spirits were already low having lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final, and now their round of seven summer fixtures is off to a losing start.

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Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund were among senior players who started the match in Kualar Lumpur, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo coming on at half-time.

Their opponents, ASEAN All Stars, were made up of internationals from South-east Asia and players from the regional leagues.

Myanmar winger Maung Maung Lwin scored the only goal of the game, prompting some sections of support to boo following the 1–0 defeat.

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"I’m always guilty of the performance of the team no matter what," United manager Ruben Amorim said after the match.

"Then the boos from the fans, I think it’s something that we need, maybe, because every game we lost in the Premier League, they [the fans] were always there.

"It’s like the way of playing, if they see that it’s not working, they will change the way they behave.

"But I felt when we finished and walked away, the supporters were with us. But, again, let’s wait for the next season."

Manchester United now have one day to recover before the second match of their post-season tour against Hong Kong on Friday.

Players will then return to their national sides for FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June, before United’s July friendly against Leeds in Sweden, further tour matches in the USA and finally a match at Old Trafford against Fiorentina in August before the 2025/26 Premier League season begins.

Ruben Amorim has tried to remain positive about the club’s future, despite managing them to their worst ever Premier League finish. The Portuguese was appointed at Old Trafford in November, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

He attempted to rally the Old Trafford faithful at the end of their final match of the season — a 2–0 win at home to Aston Villa.

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Speaking on the pitch at full-time, he apologised to the fans for a "disaster" season, but insisted the "good days" would come again.

Hopes of a resurgence in the United squad have been boosted by reported transfers news that Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is likely to join.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Ipswich striker Liam Delap are also thought to be targets, as it was reported that the club sensationally put every player up for sale following their Europa League final defeat.

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