Manchester United FC are to play a pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium this August. The English club will face La Liga side Athletic Bilbao on Sunday 6 August 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 today at the Aviva Stadium to officially launch the match.
Denis Irwin said: “Manchester United has strong links to Ireland through a great rosta 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, 15 June. With a family friendly Sunday afternoon kick-off, the Aviva Stadium could well be at its 51,700 capacity for the game. Indeed, the last time United played at the venue – versus Sampdoria in 2017 – the match attracted a sell-out crowd.
The two teams last met in 2012 in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, when United infamously lost 3-5 on aggregate to Marcelo Bielsa’s side in Sir Alex Ferguson’s penultimate season in charge.
Athletic Club Bilbao Football Director, Mikel Gonzalez, said: “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.
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“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, said: “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.”
Exclusive presale tickets will be available starting 13 June, with general on-sale ticket access opening on 15 June at 12pm.
Ticket prices start at €35 for Adults and €20 for Under-16s.
Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.ie.
