With Manchester United set to visit Malaysia for a post-season friendly against an ASEAN All-Stars side after the 2024/25 season, which of the region’s top talents will challenge the Red Devils this summer?
Goalkeepers
With the friendly coinciding with the 2025 MLS season, it’s highly unlikely that Indonesia’s Maarten Paes will receive clearance from FC Dallas for a one-off match, given his crucial role as the team’s number one goalkeeper.
This positions the Philippines’ Neil Etheridge as the likely choice for the ASEAN All-Stars’ starting goalkeeper, with his Premier League experience playing a key role in the decision. Having seamlessly succeeded the aging Siwarak Tedsungnoen as Buriram United’s first-choice keeper, Etheridge has become a vital figure in the Thunder Castles’ domestic and continental campaigns.
Other goalkeeping options include Vietnam’s Filip Nguyen, who has recently cemented himself as the Golden Star Warriors’ first-choice keeper; Etheridge’s fellow Filipino Quincy Kammeraad, who impressed during the 2024/25 AFF Championship; and Thailand’s Patiwat Khammai, regarded as the natural successor to Siwarak in the national team.
Defenders
Since we’re deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, we’ll need four defenders in the starting lineup to ensure a solid backline.
Indonesia’s Asnawi Mangkualam and Thailand’s Theerathon Bunmathan are the top choices for the wing-back positions, with Asnawi on the right and Theerathon on the left. Both have consistently been among Southeast Asia’s best in their respective roles, bringing experience, versatility, and attacking prowess to the flanks.
For the center-back pairing, we’re opting for the Indonesian-Singaporean duo of Jordi Amat and Irfan Fandi. Amat brings valuable experience from La Liga and the Premier League, along with a winning mentality from his time at Malaysian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim. Meanwhile, Irfan has proven to be a reliable presence in defense for both club and country, making him a solid choice for the backline.
Indonesia’s Pratama Arhan, with his devastating long throws, could offer an additional threat off the bench. While the friendly coincides with the end of the European season—when players are entering their rest period—if the ASEAN All-Stars can call upon their Europe-based talents, we might see the likes of Jay Idzes, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, Kevin Diks, and Eliano Reijnders (Indonesia), as well as Nicholas Mickelson (Thailand) bolster the squad.
For alternatives outside of Europe, aside from Arhan, the ASEAN All-Stars have a wealth of defensive options. These include Indonesia’s Rizky Ridho; the Philippines’ John-Patrick Strauss and Patrick Kempter; Thailand’s Pansa Hemviboon, Suphanan Bureerat, Sasalak Haiprakhon, Elias Dolah, and Jonathan Khemdee; Malaysia’s Dominic Tan, Dion Cools, and La’Vere Corbin-Ong; as well as Vietnam’s Do Duy Manh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Vu Van Thanh, Que Ngoc Hai, and Nguyen Phong Hong Duy.
Midfielders
Indonesia’s Thom Haye is a definite choice for the central midfield role, but with Almere City currently in a fierce relegation battle, he may choose to take the post-season off to recover after a demanding campaign in Europe.
Following an outstanding campaign at the 2024/25 AFF Championship, the Philippines’ Sandro Reyes emerges as a strong candidate for the central midfield role. Like Haye, he is currently playing in Europe, but unlike Haye, the demands at his club—German lower-league side Gütersloh—are far less intense. This increases the likelihood of Reyes receiving the green light to return to Southeast Asia for the post-season friendly.
If Haye and Reyes are unavailable, the ASEAN All-Stars still have plenty of midfield talent to call upon. Options include Peeradol Chamrasamee and Ben Davies (Thailand), Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Hai Long (Vietnam), Kyoga Nakamura (Singapore), Brendan Gan (Malaysia), as well as Rachmat Irianto and Marc Klok (Indonesia), ensuring depth and versatility in the engine room.
For the attacking midfield, look no further than the devastating trio of Nguyen Quang Hai (Vietnam), Supachok Sarachat (Thailand), and Arif Aiman (Malaysia)—arguably the best wingers in Southeast Asia right now. Their creativity, pace, and technical ability make them a formidable force in the final third.
Off the bench, the ASEAN All-Stars have a wealth of attacking midfield options. These include Supachok’s younger brother, Suphanat Mueanta; Indonesia’s Marselino Ferdinan (should Oxford United grant him permission to participate), Witan Sulaeman, Saddil Ramdani, and Egy Maulana Vikri; Malaysia’s Safawi Rasid; Singaporean brothers Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi; Cambodia’s Sor Rotana, who impressed on both ends of the pitch during the 2024/25 AFF Championship; and Thailand’s highly-rated Ekanit Panya, a key player for the Changsuek.
Strikers
It had to be him, didn’t it? Off the back of a devastating performance in the 2024/25 AFF Championship, Vietnam’s Nguyen Xuan Son—formerly known as Rafaelson—has cemented his status as one of Southeast Asia’s most lethal attackers. Deadly for both club and country, the Brazil-born striker is the perfect choice to lead the line for the ASEAN All-Stars.
Alternative options for the ASEAN All-Stars’ lone striker role include Thailand’s Supachai Chaided, Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Linh, Filipino danger man Jarvey Gayoso—who is currently shining in the Cambodian Premier League—as well as Cambodian duo Nick Taylor and Sieng Chanthea. Each brings a unique attacking threat, offering depth and versatility to the squad.
Foreign players?
If the ASEAN All-Stars decide to include foreign players based in the region, it opens up an entirely new set of possibilities.
This means the devastating Bergson (Johor Darul Ta’zim) could get the nod, along with Guilherme Bissoli, who is currently tearing things up with Buriram.
Meanwhile, Dewa United’s Alex Martins stands out as the deadliest striker in Liga 1 Indonesia, while Persib Bandung’s Brazilian talisman, David da Silva, is another worthy contender for the squad.
In midfield, Goran Causic has been a stalwart in Buriram United’s engine room, providing stability and creativity. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Ondrej Kudela have been rock-solid in defense for Kuala Lumpur City and Persija Jakarta, respectively, making them strong candidates for the ASEAN All-Stars’ backline.
The head coach
While much of this article is based on the writer’s personal speculation, the head coach position appears to have a strong favorite. Numerous sources have heavily rumored that Shin Tae-yong, the former Indonesia national team head coach, is the frontrunner to lead the ASEAN All-Stars. His five-year tenure with Timnas Garuda has given him an in-depth understanding of football in the region, making him an ideal choice to take charge of the squad.
With a mix of established veterans, rising stars, and potential foreign inclusions, the ASEAN All-Stars are shaping up to be a formidable squad ahead of their highly anticipated showdown against Manchester United. While much of the selection remains speculative, the wealth of talent across the region ensures that the Red Devils won’t have an easy ride in Malaysia. Whether it’s the experience of Tae-yong at the helm, the explosive attacking firepower, or the defensive solidity provided by some of Southeast Asia’s finest, this match promises to be an exciting showcase of ASEAN football. Regardless of the final lineup, one thing is certain—the region’s best will be eager to prove their worth against one of the world’s biggest clubs.