Manchester United have finalised their summer programme of friendlies after announcing they will take on Athletic Bilbao in their final clash before the 2023/24 Premier League season.
A pivotal summer lies ahead for Erik ten Hag, with the Dutch boss lining up a host of targets as he bids to boost reinforcements ahead of a return to Champions League football. And for any new signings that do come through the door, there will be plenty of opportunities to impress with the Red Devils having organised seven games.
Ten Hag's men will get underway on July 12 against Leeds in Oslo, before playing Lyon in Murrayfield seven days later. The League Cup winners will then embark on a tour of America, a trip which see them play four money spinning fixtures.
United will play Arsenal (July 22), Wrexham (July 26), Real Madrid (July 27), and Borussia Dortmund (July 31) during their spell in the US. And it's another game abroad that will now seemingly wrap up their friendly action.
The club have confirmed that will face Bilbao on August 6 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, with the official club website releasing details of pre-sale registration for those wanting tickets. It will be the third time they have played at the venue after taking on a League of Ireland XI in 2010, followed by a clash with Italian side Sampdoria in 2017.
United last took on Athletic Bilbao in the 2012 Europa League, but of perhaps more historical significance is their clash with the LaLiga outfit in the 1957 European Cup, their first ever campaign in a UEFA competition. And it was a club icon, former Republic of Ireland defender Denis Irwin, who travelled to Dublin to announce the match.
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In a released statement, Manchester United’s director of football 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.”
United's season will officially kick off the following weekend. And on Thursday, they club will know of their first opponents with the Premier League fixtures set to be announced.
