logo
Manchester United vs ASEAN All-Stars: Prediction, kick-off time, team news and live stream

Manchester United vs ASEAN All-Stars: Prediction, kick-off time, team news and live stream

Yahoo26-05-2025

Manchester United will contest the first of two post-season friendlies in Asia on Wednesday as Ruben Amorim aims to draw a line under his side's 'disaster' season. The Red Devils ended their 2024-25 Premier League campaign on a high with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday, following last week's crushing Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.
Having named his 32-man squad for this week's two-legged trip, Amorim will hope United's matches against ASEAN All-Stars and the Hong Kong national team - who they face on Friday - end with better outcomes than their last appearance on foreign soil.
Wednesday's opponents, initially formed by the ASEAN Football Federation in 2014 for a charity event to aid victims of Typhoon Haiyan the previous year, is hand-picked from Southeast Asia internationals and selected stars from the regional leagues.
ASEAN All-Stars have not played a match for over a decade, but a new group will suit up in Malaysia this week with Vietnam national team coach Kim Sang-sik at the helm. Billed as the Maybank Challenge Cup, the upcoming friendly will reportedly donate all proceeds to the Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation, a local non-profit.
Marking United's first visit to Malaysia since their 2009 pre-season tour, the trip is expected to generate upwards of £7m for the club.
Manchester United vs ASEAN All-Stars is scheduled for a 1:45pm BST (8:45pm local time) kick-off on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
The match will take place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
Live stream: The match will be shown live exclusively on MUTV, Manchester United's official television channel. Viewers can subscribe to the channel via the club's official website and app, or it is available through providers Sky and Virgin for an additional fee.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog!
Free highlights: Match highlights should be available on United's website, social media channels and YouTube shortly after full-time.
The majority of United's first-team squad were named in the 32-strong group making the trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong, including Alejandro Garnacho despite the Argentine reportedly having been told to find a new club.
Andre Onana and Luke Shaw are also travelling despite not featuring against Villa, but there is no room on the plane for Marcus Rashford.
Leny Yoro will remain in Manchester alongside fellow injured centre-back Lisandro Martinez as well as full-back Noussair Mazraoui, who failed to make it through the first half at the weekend.
Diogo Dalot was also withdrawn early on Sunday but has made the travelling squad, with Dutch internationals Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee also deemed fit.
The departing duo of Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen aren't included, but outgoing veteran Jonny Evans is.
Joining the aforementioned players and other first-team regulars like Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Harry Maguire and Casemiro are youngsters including Harry Amass, Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi and several academy players.
For all their struggles this season, United were the better team against Villa on Sunday, albeit while playing against 10 men for just over half of the match.
With this being a friendly, it's unclear exactly how strong a starting XI will be fielded on Wednesday. Amorim will likely be looking to balance winning ambitions with some minutes for the youngsters in the group.
Garnacho's inclusion in the squad might have raised some eyebrows given his apparent split from the manager and omission from the final domestic match of the season, but the reintegration of Mason Mount could continue amid early trials and experiments for next season.
No matter the approach, United's hierarchy and fans will expect a relatively comfortable victory in Kuala Lumpur.
Manchester United to win, 3-1.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Stars Forward Could Play Bigger Role Next Season
Stars Forward Could Play Bigger Role Next Season

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Stars Forward Could Play Bigger Role Next Season

The Dallas Stars willing be looking outward this offseason to plug some of the holes in their roster that were exposed during the Western Conference Final. Just about everyone with eyes saw how outclassed and far from being a contender they were as the Edmonton Oilers sent them on vacation for the second straight year. While General Manger Jim Nill and company will be looking at potential pieces to bring in, they should be looking at who can they can bring to the NHL level from AHL-affiliate Texas Stars. Bright Future Ahead After Texas Stars Season Comes to an End Bright Future Ahead After Texas Stars Season Comes to an End The Texas Stars walked the same path as their parent team, the Advertisement Dallas Stars, and their season concluded in the Western Conference Final of the Calder Cup playoffs. Matej Blumel has had an up and down year with the Dallas Stars as he has made multiple appearances at the NHL level before being sent back to the Texas Stars of the AHL. During his brief stint with Dallas he tallied one point in seven games. Through 67 games in Cedar Park, Blumel tallied 39 goals and accumulated 72 points. One could gather that the 25=year old forward has not gotten a fair chance at the NHL level, given how deep the Stars have been in recent years. Stars May Have Waited Too Long To Sack DeBoer Stars May Have Waited Too Long To Sack DeBoer The Advertisement Dallas Stars finally bit the bullet on Friday and relieved Head Coach Pete DeBoer of his duties with the team. The news comes a week after the Stars were outmatched in the Western Conference Final by the Edmonton Oilers, with the series finale ending in disaster. DeBoer pulled starting goaltender Jake Oettinger in the first seven minutes after Oettinger gave up two goals on two shots. Edmonton would claim a 6-3 victory en route to another Stanley Cup Final appearances. The young Czech forward will certainly get his chance this season as the Stars will be cap strapped while also looking to add more scoring to the lineup. Blumel would be a welcomed addition to the bottom six. Blumel will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but will likely be back on another two-year contract that brings an AAV of $800,000. It will be better with the limited amount of salary cap wiggle room that the Stars not only bring back Matej Blumel back, but also give him big minutes this upcoming. Not only will the two-year veteran bring a spark that at times the Stars lacked, but will be able to grow within to become a future piece of the next way of talent in Dallas. Follow all of Adam Denker's work on X: denkyd8nk

With shades of Man Utd, Urawa vow to bring the noise at Club World Cup
With shades of Man Utd, Urawa vow to bring the noise at Club World Cup

Yahoo

time3 hours ago

  • Yahoo

With shades of Man Utd, Urawa vow to bring the noise at Club World Cup

Japan's Urawa Reds will compete at the Club World Cup in the United States (Yuichi YAMAZAKI) Their raucous fans are the self-styled bad boys of Japanese football and the team's red shirts, white shorts and black socks bear more than a passing resemblance to Manchester United. But while the fallen English giants won't be at the Club World Cup, Urawa Reds will and are set to be roared on in the United States by more than 5,000 followers. Advertisement Japan's best-supported club face Inter Milan, River Plate and Monterrey in the opening round when the revamped competition starts on June 14. Urawa is a nondescript suburb about an hour north of Tokyo and the team have been known to draw crowds of over 50,000 to their Saitama Stadium home. Crowd trouble is extremely rare in Japan but Urawa were banned from last season's domestic cup after "ultra" supporters ripped down barriers and threatened opposition fans. In 2014 they were forced to play a game behind closed doors after fans displayed a racist banner. Supporters say they are misunderstood and are looking forward to hoisting their flags and belting out their songs in front of a global audience. Advertisement "People who aren't really interested in football think that we're scary people, but I always tell them that's not true," Urawa fan Kakeru Inoue told AFP before a recent game. "I often bring workmates to games to show them what it's really like." - United link - Urawa began life as Mitsubishi's company team and their official name of Urawa Red Diamonds is a nod to the industrial behemoth's corporate logo. They were originally called Mitsubishi Urawa Football Club, or MUFC, another link to the Premier League side. Despite having been crowned Asian champions three times, Urawa have only won the domestic J. League once, in 2006 under German former player and 1990 World Cup winner Guido Buchwald. Advertisement Urawa have appeared at the Club World Cup three times, most recently losing 3-0 to Manchester City in the semi-finals in 2023. Veteran goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa says they are proud to be the only Japanese team at the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup. "The competition will get a lot of attention from around the world and it has a big meaning for us," he said. "Who knows whether a Japanese team will play in it again because you need to become Asian champions to earn that right." - 'Ultra culture' - Professional football only started in Japan in 1993 but it took root quickly in Urawa. Advertisement The club signed overseas players including Buchwald and brought through homegrown internationals like Shinji Ono, Makoto Hasebe and current Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The club's achievements have at times been overshadowed by their fans, who hung a banner reading "Japanese only" over an entrance to the stands before a 2014 game. The incident earned Urawa the dubious distinction of becoming the first Japanese club to be ordered to play a game behind closed doors. One Urawa fan who has attended games since the J. League began said the club were "all about ultra culture". "That's something you can only get in Urawa," said the supporter, who gave his name only as Nakaji. Advertisement "No other club can match us." Urawa are coached by Poland's Maciej Skorza, who is back for a second spell after leading the club to the Asian Champions League title in 2023. The Club World Cup is being played in the middle of the J. League season, which runs from February to December. Urawa have made a strong start to their domestic campaign and look poised to challenge for the title, having finished 13th last season. Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten says the Club World Cup is "a motivation rather than a distraction". "Being able to meet the best teams from other countries is a nice experience for us, everyone is buzzing," said the 30-year-old, one of the few non-Japanese players in Urawa's squad. "It's a little bit of unknown water. Everyone is really looking forward to it." amk/pst/as

Brazil could secure a World Cup spot with victory in Ancelotti's home debut
Brazil could secure a World Cup spot with victory in Ancelotti's home debut

Hamilton Spectator

time3 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

Brazil could secure a World Cup spot with victory in Ancelotti's home debut

SAO PAULO (AP) — More South American teams could qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday. Second-place Ecuador can do it by winning in Peru. Fourth-place Brazil or third-place Paraguay could secure a spot at next year's global tournament with a win in Sao Paulo as long as Venezuela loses at Uruguay. If Venezuela draws, either team could also qualify with a win if defending champion Argentina, which has already qualified, beats Colombia. The most anticipated match of the round is in Sao Paulo, where Carlo Ancelotti will make his home debut as Brazil coach. Brazil, which had a 0-0 draw with Ecuador last week, is two points behind Paraguay in the standings. Lionel Messi's Argentina takes on Colombia in Buenos Aires in a match where coach Lionel Scaloni will continue adding depth to his squad. South America's last two qualifying game days are in September. The top six teams earn direct spots for the World Cup next year in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The seventh-place team goes into an international playoff. Ancelotti's home debut Ancelotti's changes to shore up the defense at Ecuador worked. Defender Alexsandro had an impressive game on debut and veteran midfielder Casemiro helped block the hosts. More changes are expected on Tuesday, the day Ancelotti turns 66. Striker Richarlison lost his place in the starting lineup to Matheus Cunha during training, and teenager Estêvão is expected to make way on the left wing for Raphinha, who was suspended last week. Ancelotti is also expected to replace midfielder Gerson with winger Gabriel Martinelli. 'We had the necessary time on those days to prepare both matches, a little less against Ecuador. The team is fresh, we will have every tool to do well tomorrow,' Ancelotti said Monday. 'Raphinha gives us very important mobility. That could be key to unblock tomorrow's match.' Casemiro enjoyed success with Ancelotti at Real Madrid , but has said his return to the national team after more than a year's absence is due to his performances at Manchester United. 'I'm glad to be back and back playing well, I want to stress that,' Casemiro said. 'I am not here because I know the coach, but because I deserve it. This was undoubtedly one of the most important years of my career.' Paraguay will be a tough challenge for Brazil. Since coach Gustavo Alfaro took over, the Paraguayans have been unbeaten for nine matches. Alfaro has already equaled Paraguay's record for qualifying points set by coach Paulo César Carpegiani in the campaign for the 1998 World Cup in France. Eyes on Venezuela As the only South American team that has never made it to the World Cup, Venezuela will be under extra pressure at Centenario Stadium against fifth-place Uruguay. A win for Venezuela and coach Fernando Batista will almost lock up seventh place and boost its chances of fighting for a direct spot. A Venezuela defeat could give Bolivia a chance to bid for the international playoff position. 'We have three finals in which we can't overlook, we can't fail. We are ready for that,' Batista said. 'We are focused on getting the most possible points.' Uruguay has endured a shaky patch with no wins in its last four qualifiers. A home victory against Venezuela is key for the team to regain confidence. Head coach Marcelo Bielsa, who has been clashing with Uruguay players since the Copa America last year, took some blame for the poor performance in the 2-0 loss at Paraguay. 'I truly feel responsible for the situation of the team because the problem is the lack of creation of scoring opportunities, and my position before this problem is to propose solutions,' Bielsa said. 'I have players who are special in their clubs, but can't do it in the squad I have ... I have no option (but) to recognize my lack of efficiency.' Uruguay remains without key midfielder Federico Valverde, who is injured, and striker Darwin Núñez, who is suspended. ___ AP soccer:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store