Manchester United confirm pre-season fixture at Aviva Stadium
PREMIER League side Manchester United have confirmed they will play a pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin this August - a week before the start of the new season.
The English club will face La Liga side Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, August 6 as part of their preparation for the new football season.
It will be another significant occasion for the Red Devils, having played at the Aviva Stadium twice before, with the most recent being in 2017.
The United side historically has a strong connection with Irish football, with many national team players having represented United with great distinction, including former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland legend Denis Irwin who was on hand this Tuesday to officially launch the match.
Speaking at the Aviv Stadium, he said: “Manchester United has strong links to Ireland through a great roster of past players that has also represented the national team, so the prospect of this friendly against Athletic Bilbao at the Aviva Stadium is hugely exciting. The team has always attracted huge support in Ireland and so playing this match in Dublin will I’m sure make it an even more special occasion for the players and fans alike."
Tickets for the match will go on sale this Thursday and with a family-friendly Sunday afternoon (4pm) kick-off, the Aviva Stadium could be close to its 51,700 capacity for the game.
Athletic Club Bilbao Football Director, Mikel Gonzalez, commented: “For us is a very big pleasure to return to Ireland and play in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. We know that there is a special connection between Basque and Irish fans.
“Manchester United is an historical rival for Athletic Club, we have played mythical games in the past, in 1957 and 2012, and this meeting will be an important match to prepare the new season playing against a very strong team. Manchester United is an enormous club, Dublin is a great place with a fantastic stadium, and we are sure that we are going to experience a wonderful atmosphere”.
Manchester United’s Football Director, John Murtough, added: “United has such strong connections with Ireland, being the birthplace of great players such as George Best, Roy Keane, and of course Denis Irwin. We know how passionate our Irish supporters are and it’s a pleasure to be able to bring this game to Dublin.
“After returning from tour in the US, Erik and the team will be eager to put the finishing touches on their preparations for the new season. A game against high-quality La Liga opposition such as Athletic Bilbao will be a great opportunity to gain fitness and playing time before the start of the 2023/24 campaign, as well as providing entertainment for our Irish fans.”
FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh added: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Manchester United and Athletic Bilbao to the Aviva Stadium this summer. To be able to host such a high-profile fixture with two huge European clubs is fantastic for the Irish public who support either team and will now have the chance to watch them play in Ireland.
“We look forward to hosting Manchester United in particular who have such strong connections to Ireland with a number of legendary past players and a huge supporter base across the country.”
Ticket prices start at €35 for Adults and €20 for Under-16s - see ticketmaster.ie.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW
