Man Utd Embarks on Asia Post-Season Tour
Manchester United’s season may be over, but their players are still on the move. Right after their 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday, the squad boarded a flight to Malaysia for a two-match post-season tour in Asia, ending with a game against the Hong Kong national team on Friday.
Manager Ruben Amorim took 32 players, including key figures like captain Bruno Fernandes, veteran midfielder Casemiro, and winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Interestingly, Garnacho, who didn’t feature against Villa, has reportedly been told he can seek a new club this summer.
The Villa win was United’s 11th league victory this season, enough to secure a 15th-place finish with 42 points—widely considered their worst campaign since the 1973-74 relegation season.
This followed a tough week that saw them lose the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham and miss out on Champions League qualification, leaving the club facing a significant financial shortfall.
The Asian tour is expected to bring in around $10 million, but it comes after an intense season with 60 matches across all competitions.
Most of the first-team squad is on the trip, including injured defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee, as well as experienced players like Andre Onana, Luke Shaw, and Jonny Evans—who is leaving the club.
However, some departing stars like Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen have skipped the tour for personal reasons. Injured players Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, and Lenny Yoro also remain behind.
Alongside established pros, the trip offers a chance to assess several young talents from the club’s youth ranks, such as Jaydan Kamason and Godwill Kukonki, who may feature in the first team next season.
United will face the ASEAN All Stars in Kuala Lumpur on May 28, then travel to Hong Kong for a match two days later.
Afterward, international players will join their national teams for upcoming fixtures like Portugal’s Nations League semi-final.
Pre-season preparations begin in mid-July with a friendly against Leeds United in Sweden, followed by a Premier League tournament in the US and a home match against Fiorentina in early August.
Amorim has defended the demanding post-season trip as a necessary “small sacrifice” to maintain global fan engagement.
Defender Harry Maguire echoed this, acknowledging the club’s decision and emphasizing players’ responsibility for the season’s poor results.
United’s failure to qualify for European competition next season marks only the second time since 1990 and has created a roughly £100 million financial gap.
The club has recently announced staff redundancies amid ongoing financial struggles, having lost over £370 million in the past five years.
The grueling schedule and commercial pressures on players have sparked debate.
Former professionals and pundits argue the demands are excessive, with players missing out on much-needed rest after a long season.
Despite mixed feelings, the squad continues their tour, balancing financial necessity with the hope of building momentum for a stronger campaign next season.
Man Utd Embarks on Asia Post-Season Tour