Pep Guardiola leads Manchester City Christmas party celebrations as stars join 500 staff for a night out at glitzy Salford nightclub Menagerie

• e-mail

Pep Guardiola played host to 500 Manchester City staff as his players joined the club’s Christmas party with plenty to celebrate given their start to the season.

Leading the festivities at the glitzy Manchester nightclub Menagerie, Guardiola and players including record goalscorer Sergio Aguero posed for photos with club staff 24 hours on from the Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Leicester City.

City have plenty of reason to be feeling festive - with Christmas just around the corner, they are streaking away towards the Premier League title as well as advancing in the Champions League and Carabao Cup. 

Fernandinho, Danilo, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City's party

Manchester City had plenty of reason to be feeling festive at their Christmas party

It formed a stark contrast with deadly rivals Manchester United - while City were partying, the Red Devils were being embarrassed against Bristol City. 

The party was held at Menagerie, a stone’s throw away from Jose Mourinho’s Partridge suite at the Lowry Hotel, where the United boss has been living since taking over at Old Trafford.

The nightclub offers 'bespoke cocktails' and boasts of 'experimental dining' in its decadent restaurant area.

Danilo shared a picture of team mates Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Gabriel Jesus

Cocktail prices range for £10.50 to £150 for the 'Golden Swan' concoction - but City's staff enjoyed a free food and drink tab on the night.

Sportsmail understands all of the club's staff were present, including Guardiola and his players celebrating their current position of runaway Premier League leaders, 11 points ahead of United.

Chief executive Ferran Sorriano made the keynote speech.

All of this happened while City's main rivals were suffering one of their worst results of the season so far - no doubt heightening the Christmas cheer in Menagerie.

On Wednesday evening, United were beaten 2-1 by Championship side Bristol City in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup. The Robins were subsequently drawn to face City in the last four.

The night was well documented by City's players on social media throughout the night, with videos and pictures uploaded by Raheem Sterling, Tosin Adarabioyo, and of course the gregarious Benjamin Mendy.

City partied at Menagerie club, with fire breathers entertaining and free food and drink

Mendy, currently recovering from a serious knee injury, posted a group picture to Instagram with team mates, including Sterling and Gabriel Jesus.

He captioned the image 'Good night everyone!!', along with several shark emojis, referencing his nickname for City of the 'Shark team'.

City will be back in action on Saturday at home to Bournemouth, before travelling to Newcastle United after Christmas.

On Wednesday, City celebrated while rivals United were being shocked by Bristol City

Jose Mourinho's team were being beaten while City partied near the manager's hotel