A major Premier League club is reportedly in talks to play a pre-season match in Dublin this summer.
In 2022, it was estimated that more than 120,000 Irish supporters travelled across the Irish Sea each season to watch their favourite teams in action, with Liverpool and Manchester United having the largest followings among fans from Ireland.
With such a huge number of fans entering the UK each weekend from Irish shores, it is fair to say that the Irish make up a notable number of Premier League sides' fanbases.
Now, it appears that Manchester United supporters based in Ireland could soon have the chance to watch their team much closer to home.
Manchester United set to return to Dublin
Manchester United previously visited Dublin in 2023 when they faced Athletic Bilbao at the Aviva Stadium in a match that ended 1–1.
The club are now considering a return to the Irish capital this summer as part of their pre-season preparations, potentially opting for a European tour instead of travelling to the United States.
If the Red Devils do make the trip to the Aviva Stadium, a sell-out crowd would be expected, even though their opponent has not yet been confirmed.
The Dublin fixture could form part of a wider European pre-season schedule, with potential stops in cities such as Oslo, Helsinki, Gothenburg and Warsaw before their customary final pre-season match at Old Trafford before the new Premier League season gets underway.
FGG says: Irish fans should be rewarded
It is clear to see why a club like Manchester United would opt to travel to a place like Dublin for a pre-season outing, with the club having so many fans based in the country.
It would also be great to see fans who make the trip from Ireland to the UK each week rewarded with a game coming closer to home for a change.