Malaysia national team coach, K. Rajagopal, has urged the fans to back their team against Manchester United.

Rajagopal's charges almost managed to hold the Red Devils to a draw on Saturday, only for Michael Owen to score a late winner to give the visitors a 3-2 victory.

Malaysia's goals came from striker Mohd Amri Yahyah, who stunned Edwin van der Sar with a first-half lob before embarrassing the Dutchman's replacement, Ben Foster in the second-half as well.

Speaking to Malaysian publication, The Star, Rajagopal said: "It will be a different ball game tomorrow (today),

"We did not expect the re-match but it is a bonus for the players to get a second shot at United. Naturally, after a hard game the players are bound to be suffering from knocks and bruises.

"I will have to look at the physiotherapist's report on the players' condition before deciding on the team and our game plan. Anyway, I don't intend to make too many changes,"

The affable coach was unhappy with the way some local fans put down his boys and wants the nation to get behind their national team.

"I have had this team for barely 10 days compared to United, whose players have been together for years. How do they expect us to play like United. If our players make a stray pass, the fans start to jeer us.

"All I ask is for them to be patient. These boys need all the encouragement they can get. We are in the process of team rebuilding."

Rajagopal summed it all up with the perfect quote before putting his charges through their training session as the Wisma FAM ground in Kelana Jaya.

"By right, the fans should be rooting for us," said Rajagopal.