Manchester United: Malaysia's "most supported"

English Premier League club, Manchester United, has agreed a one-year partnership with Malaysian low-cost airline, Air Asia, with the option of a further 12 months.

"It's the first time we have done a deal with a company based in Asia which is a huge step forward as we have such a big fanbase there," commercial director Andy Anson told a news conference on Friday.

"We have more than 40 million supporters across Asia and this deal enables us to get closer to them. We are probably the most supported club in Malaysia. Our supporters there are as fanatical as they are in Salford and we are keen to build on that."

"With the exposure of the Premier League and Manchester United in Asia, it makes sense to talk to other Asian countries. We are looking at all major markets in Asia," he added.

"The majority of people in Malaysia are soccer fans and know Manchester United," commemnted Minister of Sport and Youth of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Datuk Azalina Dato' Othman. She hoped the partnership would help the development of young soccer players in Malaysia. "We want to maintain contacts with Premiership clubs," she said.