Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
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MANCHESTER UNITED’S stars were out in force tonight as they headed for a team bonding dinner.

The meal was attended by first-team players and staff alike as the squad look ahead to their crucial FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes arrived with Kobbie Mainoo9

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes arrived with Kobbie MainooCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Marcus Rashford arrived in a hoodie and jeans

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Marcus Rashford arrived in a hoodie and jeansCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Erik ten Hag opted for a simple puffer jacket

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Erik ten Hag opted for a simple puffer jacketCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Rasmus Hojlund arrived with Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof

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Rasmus Hojlund arrived with Christian Eriksen and Victor LindelofCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

That saw the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez and Marcus Rashford compete with Erik ten Hag, Steve McLaren and Darren Fletcher in the style-stakes.

The team attended the swanky Ivy Asia restaurant in Manchester where a wagyu steak sets punters back £62.

Sunday’s clash with Liverpool represents the club’s last possible chance of winning silverware this season and will be huge in dictating Erik ten Hag’s future.

They are currently sixth place in the Premier League and eight points off fourth placed Villa as their Champions League hopes continue to dwindle.

Following their 3-1 defeat to City this month, Ten Hag made peace with the team’s faltering top four push by saying: “It can be an advantage that fifth spot can also be a Champions League spot, so we have to go for it and win our games.”

A rocky start to the season saw United finish bottom of their Champions League group and go out of the Carabao Cup to Newcastle.

And Sir Jim Ratcliffe was hardly supportive of Ten Hag during his first media interview since investing in the club.

When asked about the manager’s future, Ratcliffe said: “I’m not going to comment on the job he’s done because that would be inappropriate.

Lisandro Martinez arrived with Antony and Diogo Dalot

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Lisandro Martinez arrived with Antony and Diogo DalotCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Steve McLaren wore a cashmere grey jumper

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Steve McLaren wore a cashmere grey jumperCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Mason Mount sported a cap

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Mason Mount sported a capCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

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“You can’t blame all the coaches. The only conclusion is that the environment in which they were working didn’t work.

“Erik’s been in that environment and what we have to do is make sure that environment, the organisation, the people in the structure, are right. 

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“We have to do that bit, so I’m not really focused on the coach but on getting that bit right. It’s not for me to judge that. 

“But we’ve made some quite difficult decisions in our time in business. We’ll just be logical about it, assess the facts and make a fair judgement.  

“We’re not a brutal organisation really. But sometimes you do have to make decisions, that may not be popular.”

United did get a positive result last time out in the league however, triumphing 2-0 over Everton.

They also fared decently last time they played Liverpool, holding the Merseyside club to a 0-0 draw last December.

They’ll be hoping to draw inspiration from that as they look to book a semi-final spot at Wembley.

Scott McTominay was flanked by Harry Maguire

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Scott McTominay was flanked by Harry MaguireCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Darren Fletcher also took a break from his coaching duties to arrive for dinner

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Darren Fletcher also took a break from his coaching duties to arrive for dinnerCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

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