Prime Minister brings house down mentioning Red Devils’ victory, jokes about tension with Arsenal-supporting grandkids
IN a moment that perfectly captures Malaysia’s Prime Minister mixing football passion with political duties, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delighted audiences by celebrating Manchester United’s victory over Arsenal, during an official speech this morning.
A video clip shared by political commentator Jason Yew on X (formerly Twitter) on January 26, 2026, shows the Prime Minister receiving enthusiastic applause after highlighting the Red Devils’ latest triumph—revealing that the win held special significance beyond just three points on the table.
“This victory was personal,” Anwar told the amused audience during the National Audit Department’s 120th anniversary launch at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre., explaining that the result had given him bragging rights over his grandchildren, who are staunch Arsenal supporters.
The spontaneous football reference, met with laughter and applause, demonstrates Anwar’s ability to connect with ordinary Malaysians through shared passions that transcend politics—and in this case, created some good-natured family rivalry.
The moment captured in Yew’s viral clip represents more than just a football fan celebrating his team’s success. It showcases a distinctive aspect of Anwar Ibrahim’s public persona: his willingness to bring authentic, relatable moments into formal settings.
Football, particularly the English Premier League, commands massive following in Malaysia, where weekend match schedules often dictate social plans and office conversations on Monday mornings revolve around weekend results. By acknowledging Manchester United’s victory during an official speech, Anwar tapped into this shared cultural experience.
The audience’s enthusiastic response suggests they appreciated the Prime Minister’s authenticity—here was a leader who, despite the weight of governing a nation, still found joy in his football team’s performance and wasn’t afraid to share that excitement publicly.
Anwar Ibrahim’s Manchester United fandom isn’t a recent political affectation or opportunistic gesture—it’s a long-standing allegiance that predates his current position and has been documented across decades.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly declared himself “always a Manchester United fan,” a loyalty that has endured through both the club’s glory years under Sir Alex Ferguson and more recent struggles that have tested even the most devoted supporters.
His commitment to the Red Devils became particularly visible in May 2025 when he attended the friendly match between Manchester United and an ASEAN All-Stars team at Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The occasion saw Anwar sporting both a Manchester United jacket and an ASEAN All-Stars jersey, diplomatically showing support for both sides while making clear where his true allegiance lay.
During that event, Anwar displayed the self-deprecating humor that would later characterise his latest football commentary. He acknowledged Manchester United’s disappointing season performance with candor, demonstrating that his fandom comes with realistic expectations rather than blind optimism.
Family Rivalry: Red Devils vs. Gunners
The revelation that Anwar’s grandchildren support Arsenal adds a delightful domestic dimension to his football fandom. This intergenerational Premier League rivalry—Manchester United versus Arsenal—represents one of English football’s most historic competitions, now playing out in the Prime Minister’s own family.
For decades, Manchester United and Arsenal dominated English football, with intense title races during the late 1990s and early 2000s creating one of the Premier League’s defining rivalries. Sir Alex Ferguson’s United battled Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal in matches that combined technical brilliance with fierce competitiveness, producing memorable encounters that shaped modern Premier League history.
That this rivalry now manifests in Anwar’s household, with the Prime Minister representing the United side and his grandchildren backing the Gunners, creates natural opportunities for family banter—particularly when results go one way or the other.
Anwar’s comment about “plenty of tension” with his Arsenal-supporting grandchildren likely resonates with countless Malaysian families where different members pledge allegiance to rival clubs, turning match days into friendly household competitions with bragging rights at stake.
The Victory That Prompted the Celebration
While the specific match result wasn’t detailed in the viral clip, Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over current league leaders Arsenal would represent a significant scalp for the Red Devils, regardless of where either team stands in the current season.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta’s management, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s strongest sides in recent seasons, challenging for titles and playing attractive, attacking football. Any Manchester United victory over such formidable opposition would justify celebration—particularly for supporters who have endured difficult periods.
For Anwar, watching his team defeat his grandchildren’s beloved Arsenal would have provided the perfect combination: satisfaction from United’s performance and the opportunity for some good-natured family teasing.
A Tumultuous Period for the Red Devils
Anwar’s continued support for Manchester United comes during one of the most challenging periods in the club’s modern history. The 2024-2025 season saw United finish 15th in the Premier League—an unprecedented low for a club accustomed to title challenges and Champions League football.
The shocking campaign led to manager Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January 2026, with club legend Michael Carrick stepping in as interim head coach. For the first time since the 2014-15 season, Manchester United finds itself without European competition, marking a dramatic fall from the heights achieved during the Ferguson era.
That Anwar has maintained his allegiance through this turbulent period speaks to authentic fandom rather than glory-hunting. His willingness to acknowledge the team’s struggles while continuing to support them resonates with genuine supporters who understand that loyalty means staying committed during difficult times, not just celebrating success.
His grandchildren have reportedly teased him about supporting what they call an “ancient” club going through poor form—banter that clearly hasn’t diminished his commitment.
