The about-turn followed intervention from Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who threw his support behind the match which was called off last week after demands from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA.

"The FAM respects the statement by the prime minister of Malaysia that the Manchester United tour should go on as planned to be part of the celebration for Malaysia's 50th anniversary" of independence, the Football Association of Malaysia said in a statement.

The body faces the wrath of AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam and his FIFA counterpart Sepp Blatter who led efforts to have the July 27 match dumped as it clashes with the Asian Cup finals which are co-hosted by Malaysia.

"FAM will probably face consequences from FIFA and the AFC, but we are hoping to negotiate and appeal to them to sanction Man United's tour here in consideration of Malaysia's 50th anniversary," the statement added.

Bin Hammam was travelling back from Canada to Malaysia and was not immediately available for comment, although he threatened FAM with disciplinary action last week if they failed to tow the line.

Each association hosting Asian Cup matches signed guarantees not to hold any other games when the tournament was on.

Bin Hammam called for the new Premier League champion's entire Asian tour, which also takes them to Macau, South Korea and Japan, to be called off.

The AFC, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, fear the presence of such a big club in the region during the Asian Cup finals from July 7-29 will divert attention from what is the continent's flagship football competition.

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who was re-elected as an AFC vice-president last week, had previously sided with bin Hammam and admitted changing tack could cost him his job.

"We have no objection to the match," he told a press conference.

Asked where FAM's loyalties lay, he answered: "We are bound by AFC regulations, but at the same time, we have to support the government."

On Saturday, Abdullah said seeing Manchester United in action was what everyone in the football-mad country wanted.

"All Malaysians will enjoy the game. I don't think we should reject this (tour). I hope they (AFC) understand this," he said.

Earlier Monday, Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the match was sponsored by his ministry and budget carrier AirAsia and had nothing to do with the AFC, highlighting government anger at their actions.

"The AFC president should not be talking for Malaysia. He has no connection with Malaysia. He has no right," Tengku Adnan told the Bernama state news agency.

United plan to kick off their pre-season commercial tour against J-League champions Urawa Red Diamonds on July 17 in Saitama before heading to the South Korean capital for a showdown with FC Seoul on July 20.

Alex Ferguson's team then travel to Macau for a match against Shenzhen on July 23, before ending the tour in Kuala Lumpur against a Malaysian XI.