Manchester United’s pre-season tour in Asia has taken a dramatic turn following their shock 1-0 loss to the ASEAN All-Star team in Kuala Lumpur.
The Red Devils’ poor performance on the pitch wasn’t the only talking point, with fans and pundits now more concerned about events off the field.
Several moments during and after the match have sparked heated debate online, as videos and photos from the stadium continue to circulate across social media platforms.
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Supporters voiced frustration about the team’s lacklustre display, but the reaction from some players post-match has generated even more attention than the result itself.
Amid the fallout, a now-viral image of Amad Diallo has sparked major controversy — but fresh reports suggest there’s much more behind the story than initially believed.
According to Mail Sport, Amad was the target of serious personal abuse from a Manchester United fan during the team’s exit from the stadium after the final whistle.
While an image of the Ivorian winger making a middle finger gesture was widely shared and criticised, the real context has now come to light.
It had been rumoured that the gesture related to a personal preference not to be referred to by the name “Diallo,” but sources close to the situation say the real reason was an emotional response to targeted abuse from the stands.
The nature of the abuse has not been disclosed in full, but it’s understood that while it was not racial in nature, it left Amad visibly shaken as he boarded the team bus.
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Another photo that emerged later showed Amad posing with fans in a lift, alongside teammate Alejandro Garnacho, with both players making the same hand gesture — though that moment is understood to have been more playful and less emotionally charged.
Alejandro Garnacho was seen to be showing his middle finger to a fan after the game in what seemed to be less playfull.
United staff are reportedly aware of the incident and are reviewing conduct and security arrangements during the tour.
The controversy adds further strain to a troubled summer for United.
The club is now under pressure to address media training and fan relations ahead of the new season, with Ruben Amorim reportedly telling Garnacho to find a new club following the Europa League final.
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