PUTRAJAYA: Despite a busy agenda, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made time to welcome representatives from Manchester United and the ASEAN All-Stars team during the 46th ASEAN Summit and related events.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Red Devils were represented by CEO Omar Berrada and coach Ruben Amorim. Representing the ASEAN selection were head coach Kim Sang Sik and Harimau Malaya's naturalised player Sergio Aguero. The meeting was also attended by notable figures such as Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, FIFA council member Tan Sri Hamidin Mohd Amin, ASEAN Football Federation president Major General Khiev Sameth, ProEvents CEO Julian Kam, and Shekhinah PR CEO A. Christopher Raj.

The meeting comes ahead of the Maybank Challenge Cup, a friendly match set to take place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The game, scheduled for 8.45 pm tomorrow, will see Manchester United take on the ASEAN All-Stars.

During the 20-minute courtesy call, discussions centered around Manchester United's travel and preparations for the upcoming match, along with other football-related topics. As a gesture of goodwill, Anwar, an avid Red Devils supporter, was gifted a Manchester United jacket, which he wore immediately. He also received a framed ASEAN All-Stars jersey signed by team members.

Manchester United's squad arrived in Malaysia yesterday, featuring key players such as goalkeeper Andre Onana, defenders Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; midfielders Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount; and forwards Alejandro Garnacho, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, and Joshua Zirkzee.

The ASEAN All-Stars team, featuring players from AFF member countries including Australia, is under the guidance of South Korean coach Kim, who previously led Vietnam to victory in the ASEAN Championship. The team is captained by Sergio Aguero.