MU-Asean All-Stars clash at Bukit Jalil two days away
MANCHESTER United's long-awaited return to Malaysia is just two days away.
The English giants will take on the Asean All-Stars at Bukit Jalil National Stadium this Wednesday in the Maybank Challenge Cup.
Kick-off is at 8.45pm.
Their last visit was in 2009, when they played two friendlies against Malaysia XI.
This year's match forms part of the club's post-season Asian tour, which continues in Hong Kong on May 30.
It also marks their first post-season tour under current club management and comes days after their domestic season ends with a home match against Aston Villa.
The Maybank Challenge Cup is organised by ProEvents and sanctioned by Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) in collaboration with the Asean Football Federation (AFF).
It is the only Manchester United fixture in the South-East Asian region this year and is expected to draw more than 80,000 local and international fans to the national stadium.
United's squad is set to include key players such as Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho, Matthijs de Ligt, Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund.
The club has confirmed that its full senior team and technical staff will travel, along with several youth players.
The Asean All-Stars, assembled for this exclusive fixture, will be coached by South Korean Kim Sang-sik who led Vietnam to the Asean Championship title earlier this year.
He will face the task of guiding the regional squad against one of the most recognised football clubs in the world.
Malaysia will be represented by five players: goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, rightback Azam Azmi Murad, leftback Declan Lambert, wingback Adib Abd Raop and attacking midfielder Sergio Aguero.
The Asean selection reflects a mix of experience and emerging talent from clubs across the region.
For fans, the match offers a rare chance to witness the Red Devils live in action in South-East Asia.
A First Team Bus Parade offering fans an opportunity to welcome the players before match day will take place at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur tomorrow at 2pm.
The excitement of the clash will begin with the pre-match event starting at 6.30pm, where fans can expect a lively build-up with music performances by Datuk Ramli Sarip, local favourites Bunkface and Indonesia's pop-rock band Nidji.
The match is supported by global partners including Maybank and Malaysia Airlines.
Tickets are available at www.myticketempire.com/manumy ― By CY LEE
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