BANGKOK (AFP) - David Moyes' reign at Manchester United began with an embarrassing upset on Saturday, as his highly-paid squad of players slumped to a 0-1 defeat by Thailand's Singha All-Star XI in Bangkok.

The new manager sat grim-faced on the bench as the feted visitors, who have been given a hero's welcome in Thailand, failed to recover after falling behind early in the second half.

The Premier League champions cannot even say the goal was against the run of play after scorer Teeratep Winothai had two of the best chances of the game up to that point.

The result, albeit in a meaningless friendly and with a youthful team, will not ease the task of Moyes as he seeks to follow Alex Ferguson's 27-year, 38-trophy stint at the world's most famous club.