Manchester United’s players are unsurprisingly in high spirits following their dazzling 5-1 opening win over Leeds and a small group of them continued the camaraderie by heading out for lunch on Friday.
Bruno Fernandes and David de Gea enjoyed each other’s company, with the playmaker even laughing after the superstars dined in style at the Cibo Restaurant in Hale Village, Cheshire.
Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic joined them the day before they left for Southampton, and nearby viewers seemed amused when the party joked as they left the building and parted ways.
David de Gea (left) and Bruno Fernandes shared a joke as the Manchester United stars dined out
Juan Mata (center) and Nemanja Matic (left) joined De Gea and Fernandes
Fernandes and Mata were seen laughing walking while De Gea giggled in the back
On their website, Cibo describes itself as a “modern, classic Italian restaurant” and serves handmade pasta, pizza, seafood and meat dishes with “only the best ingredients”.
And it seemed that the United players were impressed by the opportunity. Mata and Fernandes appeared to be joking as they walked away while goalkeeper De Gea, who was within earshot behind them, laughed too.
Matic gave his longtime teammate De Gea a fist when the group split on the sidewalk while the other three carried on. As they crossed the street, De Gea and Fernandes jogged on.
Matic and De Gea wanted to part with a punch after dinner in Cheshire
Mata, De Gea, and Fernandes continued down the sidewalk as the guests watched
De Gea and Fernandes were obviously in the best of spirits enjoying each other’s company with another joke
With some welcome free time, their attention will now turn to helping United win a second straight Premier League to kick off the season. Next on Sunday is a typically tricky trip to St. Mary’s.
Before the clash, boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer briefed reporters on Paul Pogba’s uncertain contract situation and also stressed that Jesse Lingard still has a role to play for United during this campaign.
Both players are known as incredibly popular locker room figures as well as close friends, and their departures this summer could undermine the team spirit as well as any possible title challenge at Old Trafford.
Pogba has just over 10 months left on his £ 290,000-a-week contract and appears to be leaving the club as a free agent for the second time. United desperately want him to file an extension but he has shown little interest so far.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) said contract talks with midfielder Paul Pogba (left) would continue.
Pogba hit the headlines again after dazzling with four assists in the 5-1 win over Leeds last weekend, but Solskjaer firmly believes his focus is on making the midfielder happy on a day-to-day basis.
When asked about Pogba’s situation, Solskjaer said: “Well, these are negotiations with Paul’s representatives and the club. For me and Paul we work together here every day and always try to improve ourselves, improve the team and have fun.
“When you win games, you have more fun.”
And on the possibility of Lingard staying at the club, he added, “I think Jesse’s first priority is getting on our team. I think whenever your employer is Man United that is your first priority. It’s always like that and we can have great moments together.
Solskjaer also announced that midfielder Jesse Lingard will still play a role at United this year
“As a coach with players and a squad like me now, it’s hard to say they aren’t playing because I obviously have to leave players out, regardless of the starting XI but from the squad.
“But they all have to remember and know that they have to play a role if we are to be successful.
“Jesse is fit again. He played really well in the closed-door game (against Burnley) on Tuesday and came back bubbly and in good shape. He has a big role to play. ‘
