Reader TTS

For the second Wednesday running, Manchester United had to traipse past dignitaries to collect their silver medals. The Maybank Challenge Cup was not exactly coveted. It was on the table in

a room adjacent to the press conference room. Three of us requested a picture with it, so a few from Manchester managed to get their hands on the trophy. Some United players tried to make a

quick getaway after full-time. Dave Harrison, the director of football operations who finds himself chaperoning United players around stadiums, reminded them to observe the post-match

procession. After United collected their medals, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho, Harry Amass and Toby Collyer again tried to make their exit. But no, they were ushered back onto the pitch to

observe the trophy lift by the ASEAN All Stars. Incongruously, the 1997 non-classic Sing Up For The Champions, an official single released by United when they actually were champions, was

played as United collected their medals. The lyrics refer to winning the Football League again in Merseyside and namecheck Ryan Giggs, Gary Pallister, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar

Solskjaer and Roy Keane. Amorim clasped hands and received a warm embrace from the United chief executive Omar Berrada when he collected his medal. He removed it immediately. "My

biggest concern is that we need to have the feeling that we need to win every game," Ruben Amorim said, "even a small-sided game on the street, that kind of feeling every game,

every exercise that is what we have to do to push the players." Nobody feels sorry for the United players after the season they have subjected their supporters to. Whether these players

stay or go, the humiliation of losing a final to Tottenham and then to fire blanks again in Malaysia a week later is form that warrants boos. The last time United were booed on domestic

soil was at half-time against Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round back in February. Leicester somehow lost to United four times in 2024-25 but they threatened a shock that night until

Harry Maguire made the most of a linesman's myopia. Since then, United matchgoers have sworn by harmonious atmospheres. Their end in the San Mames Stadium emptied quicker than a bathtub

of water, which was their form of expressing disapproval. United fans are very dignified like that. Four days later against Aston Villa, there was no pre-match rancour and 'We'll

never die' got an early and defiant airing. United also played well and won. In Kuala Lumpur, they were back on unwatchable form. Collyer was booed for playing the ball into touch with

United 1-0 down. At full-time, there was more booing. Amorim understood it. "I feel always guilty of the performance of the team since I am here in the first game," he admitted.

"I am guilty then the boos from the fans, maybe it is something we need because every game that we lost in the Premier League, they were always there. I felt when we finished every time

the supporters were with us. Let's see for next season." There were 27 substitutions by Amorim alone. In an occasion that was as far removed from a competitive match as possible -

a light show, a Mexican wave, innumerable substitutions - Rasmus Hojlund was still isolated, detached and sloppy. Hojlund left the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in a cheerful mood, cracking

a brief joke with a United press officer. At Amorim's press conference, Hojlund was described as "a shadow of himself" and "hesitant" by a local reporter. Maybe

Hojlund has seen the writing on the wall. United are waiting on a decision from Liam Delap, only four days younger than Hojlund. Delap would cost half the price, too. But if Delap returns to

Manchester it will be to replace Hojlund. "Sometimes you cannot overthink the situations," Amorim said in response to the query about Hojlund. "Sometimes you go to holiday

and then you arrive in the first day and you start a new season. Even the environment in the training ground can help all these players have more confidence. "If you look at the data we

improved in the last games. We have a lack of goals. We will try to assess that and be prepared." Amorim was already on the United coach when Garnacho strode out, sunglasses on,

scanning his phone. Garnacho completely blanked those assembled in the mixed zone, which had descended more into a meet-and-greet pen. Amorim usually sits in the front row of the coach, so

Garnacho will have had to have walked past him. Wearing sunglasses more befitting a superhero with midnight looming in Kuala Lumpur suggested he was trying to make a point. There is no power

struggle between manager and player. It is a non-contest as United have backed Amorim after he told Garnacho that he can leave. Garnacho did, however, generate genuine adoration from the

crowd, along with Bruno Fernandes, the renascent Harry Maguire and, somewhat peculiarly, Andre Onana. Onana, Maguire and Diogo Dalot are now bound for a commercial trek to India while their

teammates head on to Hong Kong. Fernandes was the last to leave and he generously signed some shirts and stopped for pictures. United were in no rush. They were staying in the city another

night after defeat. Just like they did last week.