MURRAYFIELD will host a pre-season friendly between Manchester United and Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday 19th July [kick-off 2pm]. It will be the English side’s first match in Scotland since their UEFA Champions League group stage fixture against Rangers in 2010.
Manchester United Football Director John Murtough said: “Whilst as a club we have great historical links to Scotland, this will be the first time we’ve played at BT Murrayfield, and we’re really looking forward to performing in front of our Scottish fans in what will be a great occasion in a world-class sporting venue.”
“This is an important competitive match for our squad as we commence our preparations for the season ahead. With a 2pm kick-off during the school holidays, we hope many families and young fans from all over Scotland and the UK will be able to travel to the game.”
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Scottish Rugby Chief Executive Mark Dodson said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Mancester United and Olympique Lyonnais to BT Murrayfield this summer. We have four concerts dates in May for Beyonce, Harry Styles and Bruce Springsteen so being able to add Manchester United into this stellar mix this summer is fantastic. Being the largest stadium in Scotland, it is great to be able to continue to bring exciting sporting and music events to Edinburgh.”
Edinburgh and Scotland flanker Hamish Watson took part in today’s official announcement of the match.
“I am a proud season ticket holder at United and get down to games when I can,” he said. “To have my team playing at BT Murrayfield is special. I have had so many amazing memories here as a player so to now have the chance to watch United on my home patch is going to be brilliant.
“Manchester United are the biggest club in the world and I’m sure they’ll receive a warm reception from the Scottish crowd who back us from the stands so strongly.
“It’s going to be a great couple of months of live sport in Edinburgh as we look forward to playing three matches at BT Murrayfield in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in September.”
- Exclusive presale tickets will be available starting 17th May, with general on-sale ticket access opening on 18th May at 12pm.
- Ticket prices start at £30 for Adults and £15 for Under-16s.
- Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster or Ticketek
How are people trying (and failing) to make this a criticism of Mark Dodson lol, pathetic.
Good piece of business.
What’s with all the moaning? A football friendly is being played on an artificial pitch at a time when it otherwise isn’t in use. I’m no fan of Dodson, but this hardly seems an opportunity to berate him…heaven forfend a CEO looks to generate revenue!
Is using a Scottish Rugby asset to generate income for Scottish Rugby not looking after the interests of Scottish Rugby?
Ed, you’re correct but you wouldn’t expect any praise in the comments section from people who supposedly support and understand Scottish Rugby. 🐻
But you can always expect one-eyed pompous know-alls to criticise those who don’t agree with them can’t you Iain?
As I believe Murrayfield is ultimately owned by the grassroots Clubs (who are the SRU), I presume this extra income it is generating will go straight to the grassroot Clubs?
Or will it go straight to the professional game?
You will of course know that with the new set up an agreed amount of money now goes into the club game, the more we earn the more the clubs get.
Iain – it isn’t strictly correct to state that “an agreed amount of money now goes into the club game”. Under the new governance provisions, a certain proportion of revenues is to be allocated essentially to support community / club rugby.
The actual amounts will be determined from time to time upon a formula applied to SR’s audited financial returns. Scrutiny and confirmation of the figures underlying all of this will be of paramount importance, given the opportunities for “smoke and mirrors” calculations. Let’s hope the “amounts” are healthy and handsome, and that the Union’s revenue-earning capacity doesn’t deteriorate leaving the under-nourished community rugby segment’s appetite for financial support unsatisfied.
Investing into the professional game and winning (as we will hopefully see this weekend) is as important for the grassroots game as it being directly invested into grassroots, both should get a cut.
I remember Oli Smith (a young homebred player) saying in a interview just under a year ago how he would watch the players he now plays with go on to win the 2015 pro12 trophy and that inspired him to push on to play for his home team, and how he was starstruck playing with them in his first season.
Don’t underestimate the impact winning in profesional rugby, and having stand-out players has on recruiting and inspiring kids to pick up and stick with rugby. The professional game needs investment to maintain this, it’s not a one or the other situation.
Not sure why my other comment was not allowed to post.
All for the generation of income but did the Chief Executive have to come out of his bunker to promote another sport? I smell an ulterior motive possibly connected to aspirations of a career move.
You have to admit that Tiddlywinks Shinty might not attract the same capacity crowd.Like him or not, he doesgenerate income, subject to a slice.
It’s a pity he doesn’t do what he is paid to do – look after the interests of all of Scottish rugby.
WTF is “Tiddlywinks Shinty”…..? Maybe something else you fail to understand….?