Manchester United will play a pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium this August.
The Premier League giants will take on La Liga's Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, August 6, as they prepare for the kick-off of the latest chapter of English domestic action.
#mufc will take on Athletic Club on August 6 in a pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin 🇮🇪 https://t.co/DOB1m5dZMP
— Stretty News (@StrettyNews) June 13, 2023
United have taken to the Aviva on two separate occasions, the most recent being in 2017 against Sampdoria. Historically, Ireland has had a great relationship with the Red Devil's with numerous Irish players lining out for the club.
Former Ireland and United legend Denis Irwin was on hand to officially launch the friendly and welcomed his old side gracing the hallowed turf in Dublin.
“Manchester United has strong links to Ireland through a great roster of past players that has also represented the national team," he said.
"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."
Denis Irwin at the Aviva Stadium.
Tickets for the match will go on sale this Thursday, June 15. With a family-friendly Sunday afternoon kick-off, the Aviva Stadium could well be at its 51,700 capacity for the game.
The two teams last met in a European clash in 2012, when United lost 3-5 on aggregate to Marcelo Bielsa’s side in the UEFA Europa League Round of 16.
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.
"Manchester United is a 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".
FAI Commercial Director Sean Kavanagh was delighted with the confirmation of the Dublin fixture.
"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," he said.
"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 Tuesday, June 13, with general on-sale ticket access opening on Thursday, June 15 at noon.
Match information:
Manchester United v Athletic Club
Sunday, August 6 2023, KO 4 pm
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.ie.
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