Rio Ferdinand’s Rosso restaurant closes permanently as the Italian dinery once frequented by Manchester United stars, A-list celebrities and Erling Haaland in his pyjamas shuts its doors after 14-years

Rio Ferdinand’s ‘Rosso’ restaurant in Manchester City centre has made the surprise decision to close its doors for good.

The Italian dinery once frequented by Manchester United stars, One Direction duo Harry Styles and Liam Tomlinson, and a host of A-list celebrities will no longer be running.

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was one of the more recent high-profile stars to dine at Rosso as he enjoyed a luxury meal dressed in £1100 designer pyjamas. 

Final service took place on Sunday, September 17, with the decision to permanently close down appearing to be a sudden move with no prior warning to guests wanting to make reservations.

Ferdinand opened the stylish Italian restaurant alongside other investors in 2009 while he was still a crucial cog in Manchester United’s serial title-winning machine and helped transform Rosso’s into one of the city’s most popular dining spots.

Ferdinand has so far remained quiet after the decision to shut the Italian dinery was announced

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was one of Rosso’s more recent high-profile guests as he dined while wearing a £1,100 pyjama shirt

United would host Christmas parties inside the luxurious former bank building at the top of the city’s King Street while other celebrities began to reserve tables at the upcoming venue.

The venue boasted one of the most wide-ranging Italian menus in the city with a standard three-course dinner meal expected to set an individual back around £50 depending on meal choices.

Ferdinand has so far been quiet on the restaurant’s closure, but a statement published on Rosso’s Twitter account on Monday, read: ‘It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Rosso Restaurant and Bar.

‘Last night (Sunday) after nearly 14 years, we were delighted to hold a final service for our wonderful customers.

The restaurant has been popular with a host of celebrities over the years with Tommy Fury (left) previously visiting for an evening meal

Ferdinand (second from left) and his former Man United team-mates visited Rosso for Christmas parties

Ferdinand (left) once previously kept the restaurant open late into the early hours of the morning for One Direction star Harry Styles (right)

‘It wasn’t an easy decision to close this wonderful restaurant which has flourished into an icon of the Manchester restaurant and social scene. It feels like the right time to go out at the height of our popularity and look ahead to new horizons.

‘Rosso wouldn’t been the same without our wider family, suppliers and our wonderful customers whm we have had the enviable pleasure or serving.

‘We could not be more grateful to our Champions League winning staff both past and present. Our thanks go out to each and every one of them for making Rosso what we are today.

‘We always believed we should close Rosso on a high and we thank each and every one of you for being part of our championship team.’