logo
Sea Of Red Devils, United Chants Rock National Stadium

Sea Of Red Devils, United Chants Rock National Stadium

Barnama28-05-2025
By Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- Tens of thousands of hardcore Manchester United fans have transformed National Stadium in Bukit Jalil a sea of red as they descended onto the stadium and its grounds ahead of their beloved club's Maybank Challenge Cup match against the ASEAN All-Stars tonight.
The excitement of fans, local and throughout Southeast Asia, is quite understandable as the last time the 13-time Premier League champions came to Malaysia was in 2009, and many fans began arriving at the stadium as early as 1 pm, all decked in various versions of the Red Devils jersey and waving club flags joyously.
bootstrap slideshow
United fan Kyawswar, who hails from Myanmar, said this was his first opportunity to see his favourite team live and that he did not regret spending nearly USD 700 (RM2,954) to attend the match.
"Manchester United has been my favourite team since childhood, ever since David Beckham captured our hearts as fans. This year's Asia tour brings them to a location close enough for me to attend. Last year, they visited Bangkok, but unfortunately, I missed it.
'Although this season has been quite disappointing, my loyalty to the team remains strong," he told reporters, adding that he was still adamant in showing up to see his team tonight despite their poor recent showing.
"Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil. The team needs to improve. The individual players are talented, they just need to score more goals. Although the team isn't performing poorly, their lack of scoring leads to losses. We believe in their spirit, and we are confident that the team will overcome these challenges," he said.
Fellow United fan Tanagra Fisa from Jakarta, Indonesia, could barely contain her excitement about tonight's match as it saved her a considerable sum to come to Malaysia instead of going to England to see them play.
"I'm quite happy and excited to watch this match. This is the team I support, and it's a great opportunity to see my favourite player, Garnacho (Alejandro Garnacho), up close. Going to England would be way more expensive, so I'm very happy they came here," she said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says

LONDON: Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen have already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champions Liverpool, while centre back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear — Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go." Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid.--REUTERS

Soccer-Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says
Soccer-Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says

The Star

time6 hours ago

  • The Star

Soccer-Xhaka too important for Leverkusen to let go, Ten Hag says

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - February 15, 2025 Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka reacts REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File Photo (Reuters) -Granit Xhaka is a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and the Bundesliga side cannot afford to let the Swiss midfielder leave, manager Erik ten Hag said amid reports linking him to a move to Sunderland. Leverkusen have already lost playmaker Florian Wirtz and defender Jeremie Frimpong to Premier League champions Liverpool, while centre back Jonathan Tah has moved to Bayern Munich. Former Arsenal man Xhaka has been linked with a move to Sunderland, with his agent telling German media the 32-year-old Switzerland skipper has an agreement in principle with the newly-promoted Premier League club. "The agent can say anything. But this club has already lost three important players," Ten Hag told German media on Tuesday. "We won't let any more players go, that's not possible. That would neglect the structure and also the culture of the squad. "It's clear — Granit is a leader, he has signed here for five years and has three years left on his contract. He's too important for us to let him go." Xhaka helped Leverkusen secure the double in the 2023-24 season as they lifted their first Bundesliga title without losing a game, won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He has made 99 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring six goals and registering nine assists. Former Manchester United manager Ten Hag replaced Xabi Alonso in May after the Spaniard left to manage his former club Real Madrid. (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Diogo Jota's wife shares 'forever' tribute in heartfelt post
Diogo Jota's wife shares 'forever' tribute in heartfelt post

New Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Diogo Jota's wife shares 'forever' tribute in heartfelt post

LIVERPOOL: The widow of Diogo Jota has paid tribute to the late Liverpool forward, one month after their wedding and three weeks after he was killed in a car crash in Spain. Rute Cardoso shared photos of their Jue 22 wedding in a post to Instagram, BBC reported. Three pictures were accompanied with the words "one month of our 'until death do us part'," adding she was "forever" his. Jota, 28, died alongside his brother, André Silva, after the Lamborghini they were travelling in burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout in Zamora in the early hours of July 3. Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and went on to score 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club. He played a key role in helping Liverpool win both the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, adding another League Cup title in 2024, before lifting the Premier League trophy last season. Last week, Liverpool announced that the club would retire Jota's number 20 shirt in his honour. A mural has also been created near Anfield, featuring the number 20 and surrounded by messages left by fans in tribute.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store