Man Utd boost Asia base with 5-yr deal

United completed a tie-up with Malaysia's leading telecommunications provider to supply online content to their supporters, the club said on their website (www.manutd.com).

United toured the country last year and 40,000 Malaysia fans, many decked out in replica team jerseys, turned up to watch the Red Devils train.

"The size of our fan base in Malaysia ... is phenomenal," United manager Alex Ferguson said.

"The statistic that almost 25 percent of the Malaysian population support Manchester United is staggering."

Commercial Director Richard Arnold said: "The club is at the forefront of building relationships with its fans through digital media and this partnership helps us to maintain that position."

TM will also offer the chance for fans to win trips to Old Trafford to see the English champions play.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer in Tokyo. Editing by Peter Rutherford)