The Manchester United squad celebrated confirming their third-place finish in the Premier League by going for a team meal at Fenix Bar and Restaurant, an upscale Greek restaurant in the heart of Manchester, on Sunday night.
Michael Carrick's side had edged an entertaining five-goal thriller against Nottingham Forest 3-2 in their final home game of the season at Old Trafford earlier in the day. Luke Shaw and Matheus Cunha scored the hosts' first two goals of the afternoon, before Bruno Fernandes set up Bryan Mbeumo for United's third, equalling the Premier League assists record also held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
Fernandes was seen smiling as he arrived at the restaurant, known for its energetic vibes including traditional plate-smashing during evening events, alongside his wife Ana Pinho.
There was one major absentee at the dinner. Casemiro, who had just said his final farewell to the Old Trafford faithful, was not seen attending the meal with the rest of the United team.
Casemiro's emotional farewell
It had been an emotional day for the Brazilian, who was serenaded by fans from before kick-off until after the full-time whistle, when he said his goodbyes to those in the stands. Casemiro told them: "Thank you to everyone: the best thing with this club is you," standing alongside his wife Anna, son Caio and daughter Sara.
The midfielder, who has just one final game left at the club, away at Brighton next week, was nowhere to be seen at Fenix later that night.
Team-mates and partners arrive
Shaw, who had netted his first club goal in over three years earlier that day, was there. He, like Fernandes, arrived smiling, with partner Anouska Santos, with whom he shares four children.
Cunha and his wife, Gabriela Nogueira da Cunha, arrived hand-in-hand, as did Lisandro Martinez and partner Muri Lopez.
Last season's summer signings, Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko, were also snapped arriving, in more casual attire, showing the event's dress code ranged from smart to casual.
It was not a player-only event. Carrick, who is soon to be announced as the permanent United head coach, attended wearing an all-black suit. Backroom staff member and former defender Jonny Evans was also there.
No awards night for third year running
The dinner will be the only end-of-season event for the team. Confidential reported earlier this month that Manchester United bosses have decided not to hold an end-of-season player awards night for the third year in a row.
That is despite Carrick managing to salvage a season that seemed doomed under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, securing Champions League qualification for the club for the first time in three seasons. The club cancelled the gala event at Old Trafford in 2024 after finishing eighth in the Premier League, and again last year after slumping to 15th and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Fernandes is also in contention for the Premier League Player of the Year award after edging closer to the single-season assist record of 20, held jointly by Henry and De Bruyne. It has been decided instead to honour any personal achievements among the men's and women's teams in a more private setting at Carrington later this month.
Sources say the decision is not so much a reflection of a rollercoaster campaign, in which United played 40 games, their shortest season since the First World War due to having no European football and falling at the first hurdle in both domestic cup competitions, but more a move away from gala awards nights generally. Foregoing the glitzy event, a regular fixture for United players and their partners over the years, is also in keeping with Carrick's assertion that a club of United's stature should not be celebrating a top-five finish.