Eric is joined by podcast regulars, Alan Cawley and Robbie Redmond, to discuss the controversial Manchester United friendly in Dublin, preview the upcoming Premier League season and analyse the League of Ireland title chase as it comes down to the wire.

Back in June, when Man United officially confirmed the news of a long-awaited return to Dublin, the club touched on past Irish legends such as Roy Keane, George Best and Denis Irwin, and their connections with this country.

"We know how passionate our Irish supporters are and it’s a pleasure to be able to bring this game to Dublin," stated United’s football director, John Murtough

"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."

Bilbao went with a strong line-up, with Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón starting, along with Nico Williams, Inaki Williams and captain Iker Muniain, with United cult hero Ander Herrera on the bench. The best United could muster was Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Harry Maguire and Donny van de Beek both started, but United are keen to move both men on before the transfer window closes. This was very much a second string XI, with the main event coming at Old Trafford the day before.

That Saturday friendly against Lens, taking place 24 hours before, had not been scheduled in or announced when tickets went on sale for the Aviva Stadium game. Tickets for the Dublin game were snapped up within hours of going on sale. Two weeks later, United revealed they would play Lens in their only pre-season game at Old Trafford.

Fans that attended that game, in Manchester, got to see André Onana and Mason Mount make their Old Trafford bows in a full-strength line-up that included Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Antony, Rahaël Varane and captain Bruno Fernandes. They also got to welcome Rasmus Hojlund as he was paraded to the crowd after his £64m move to United.

United fans in Ireland - after waiting six years for the club to return to these shores - got to see the likes of Omari Forson, Daniel Gore, Alvaro Fernandez, Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill. These youngsters may yet break through in years to come but it was an underwhelming squad sent over to fly the United flag, especially when adult match tickets were going for twice the price of those on sale for the Lens game.

United were banking on an Irish sell-out and may have anticipated a stronger side being involved, but that all changed once the Lens game was confirmed. It made more sense for Erik ten Hag to field his prospective Premier League opener XI at home rather than sending them flying over to Dublin.

Did we get any explanation or pre-match words from the club, or manager, as to why they had stacked the deck on Saturday and went light on Sunday? No.