The Red Devils' painful campaign on all fronts continued as they fell to a shock 1-0 defeat in Kuala Lumpur
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More humiliation for Red DevilsMaung Maung Lwin goal decided gameAmorim's side toiled in heat and humidityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱TELL ME MORE
United visited Malaysia for the first time in 16 years as the first stop on their money-spinning post-season tour of Asia, an idea which was ridiculed by fans when first announced. And the team left themselves open to more ridiculing after losing 1-0 to ASEAN all stars, a collection of internationals and players from regional leagues from the 12 countries in the ASEAN Football Federation. ASEAN All Stars had only played once before, in 2014, and a had a familiar name as their captain: Malaysia international Sergio Aguero. But it was Myanmar forward Maung Maung Lwin who was United's tormentor, beating the offside trap and firing past Tom Heaton in the second half. The friendly defeat will no real ramifications but it rubbed more salt into the wounds of Ruben Amorim's side after they recorded their lowest league finish in 51 years and failed to qualify for European football for the first time in 11 years as a consequence of losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
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Alejandro Garnacho made what could be his last apperance for United when he came off the bench in the second half as Amorim changed his entire starting XI. The winger had been left out of the squad for the final Premier League match of the season against Aston Villa after Amorim told him in front of his team-mates that he would have to leave the club after his outburst against the coach in Bilbao. As has been the case throughout the season, Garnacho offered some spark to United's play although he could not make a tangible impact. He was played through soon after coming on and dazzled a defender before finding Chido Obi but the Argentina international was wrongly ruled out for offisde. With time running out he let fly from long range but saw his shot baloon into the stands.
THE MVP
The best moment from a United point of view in an insipid game was Jim Thwaites' incredible tackle which denied ASEAN All Stars a second goal in the dying minutes. The 17-year-old raced back as Adrian Segecic homed in towards goal and timed his challenge to perfection to stop the Australian piling more misery on the Red Devils. With many of United's big name players looking like they did not want to be out there, Thwaites showed admirable determination to prevent his side conceding again. It will not have gone unnoticed by Amorim.
Getty THE BIG LOSER
Those poor supporters. An estimated 70,000 people made theirway into the Bukit Jalil stadium to see their beloved Red Devils in action for the first time since 2009, when Michael Owen was making his debut. They were left hugely disappointed, not just with the result but with the performance. United looked very uncomfortable out there in the 31 degree heat and 75 percent humidity. They let ASEAN All Stars walk all over them in the first half. They improved in the second half after Amorim changed his entire team and yet they still barely troubled their hosts, with Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes' wayward efforts and Chido Obi's blocked shots amounting to their best attempts on goal.