Old Trafford, the iconic home of Manchester United, is grappling with an unexpected problem this holiday season—rodents. The renowned stadium, which hosts more than a quarter of a million fans annually, has seen its food hygiene rating drop to just two stars out of five following a recent inspection.
During the inspection, mouse droppings were discovered in a kiosk serving food to fans and in a ground-level corporate suite. However, the food preparation areas and kitchens were found to be free of any droppings, and the club maintains that its pest control systems are in place to address such issues.
Despite this, the club has engaged further pest control services to tackle the rodent problem and prevent any recurrence. Manchester United, who have a longstanding contract with pest controllers, have expressed their commitment to maintaining high hygiene standards at the stadium. A club spokesperson stated: “Manchester United implements a robust pest-control system throughout Old Trafford. Multiple weekly checks are made in all catering areas, and stringent measures are taken to ensure hygiene and cleanliness are maintained wherever food is stored, prepared, and served. If incidences of this nature do occur, immediate and appropriate action is taken.”
This setback is not the first for the club in terms of hygiene. Last year, the club’s food hygiene rating was slashed after raw chicken was served to corporate clients. The rating was later raised to four stars after improvements were made, but the recent mouse-related incident has led to another decline.
In addition to the hygiene concerns, Old Trafford’s aging infrastructure continues to present challenges. After a recent post-match press conference was interrupted by water dripping from the ceiling, it became clear that the stadium’s maintenance issues extend beyond food safety. The venue has suffered repeated leaks, with water often pouring through the roof, a problem that was particularly visible during a match against Arsenal last season.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire who owns a 28.94% stake in Manchester United through his Ineos Group, is reportedly exploring options for either refurbishing the historic stadium or building a completely new one.
The club is now working closely with Trafford Council’s environmental health officers to address the issues and ensure that necessary improvements are made. A spokesperson for the council confirmed that the club is cooperating fully with the council’s recommendations to bring the hygiene rating up to standard.
As Manchester United continues to address these challenges, both on and off the pitch, the club’s commitment to improving Old Trafford’s infrastructure and hygiene standards remains a priority.
