Manchester United star Bryan Mbeumo hailed the warm reception the team received from Irish football fans as they arrived in Co Kildare for a training getaway.
Mbeumo and his team-mates are in Ireland for a training camp at Carton House amid a three-and-a-half week gap between league fixtures, created both by the recent international window and the club's early exit from the cup competitions.
The players were greeted by enthusiastic local United supporters and autograph hunters as they look to set themselves up for a strong finish to the season.
"It's always good to see. We've got a big base of fans and we're obviously really happy to sign and take pictures," Mbeumo told RTÉ Sport's Dave Kelly at Carton House.
The Red Devils' last Premier League tie took place on 20 March, a 2-2 draw away to Bournemouth. Their next league game will be at home to Leeds United on 13 April, leaving 24 days between games - hence the mini-preseason in Kildare.
United and Leeds will also meet in Dublin this August in a friendly fixture at Croke Park.
"It's been so long since we played a game," Mbeumo said. "We are here obviously to be ready for the next game. It's really important that we can be somewhere nice and and fresh as well away from the training ground to just stick together.
"We are in a good position, everyone knows, but I think we still have several finals until the end of the seasons. And yeah we are going to have to make the most of it."
United skipper Harry Maguire signed a new contract with the club in recent days, extending his stay at the team he joined from Leicester in 2019. Mbuemo described the centre-back as a "main character".
"Really happy to see this. He's been a main character since he joined the club and since I joined as well," Mbeumo said. "I think he's crucial in the team, a leader and yeah, we're really happy."
Cameroon international Mbeumo signed for United last year after six seasons with Brentford - a club now flying high under Dubliner Keith Andrews while Irish international Caoimhín Kelleher keeps goal. Mbuemo is pleased by his old club's continued progress.
"I'm always watching the games when I can and I still talk to the players as well. They're doing really well, very happy for them."
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