English Premier League champions Manchester United have expressed their sadness and disappointment at being snubbed by Malaysia, chief executive David Gill said on Thursday.

Gill wrote a letter to Malaysia's Tourism Ministry following the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) putting pressure on Malaysia to cancel a friendly against Man Utd on July 27. This would have clashed with and threatened to overshadow the continent's flagship tournament, the Asian Cup, which runs July 7-29.

The AFC and FAM signed an agreement last year which prevented Malaysia from hosting any football event in July.

"We are extremely sad and disappointed to hear that we are not welcomed," Gill's letter was quoted as reading in the New Straits Times on Thursday. "Malaysia is our second home. We played there in 1995, 1999 and 2001-- more than anywhere else in Asia.

"We are proud to come and celebrate (Malaysia's) 50 years of independence and it's a once in a life-time celebration. We were very much looking forward to celebrating with our fans (in Malaysia)."

Malaysian fans also expressed their disappointment with UPB-Myteam president Khairy Jamaluddin saying: "I don't think the MU tour will take anything away from the Asian Cup. In Malaysia, we are passionate about football and we cannot get enough of it."

Lawrence How, president of Malaysia's Manchester United Fan Club, said: "I am not surprised that (the fans) are upset. You must remember that many of the fans cannot afford to visit Old Trafford to watch United play."

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong-based promoter of the United tour, which also includes matches in Japan, South Korea and Macao, is confident the Malaysian part of the program will continue.

"All four legs will go ahead as planned," Paul Kam, chairman of ProEvents Management Ltd was quoted as saying by Hong Kong's South China Morning Post. "There is a lot of speculation going on, but everything will be resolved soon."

(China Daily via Agencies May 11, 2007)