Manchester United have had to call in pest control after hygiene inspectors discovered Old Trafford had been hit by an infestation of mice, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe obviously facing fresh stadium issues.
Manchester United have been plagued by a mice infestation at Old Trafford, with their food hygiene rating plummeting as a result. The Red Devils have experienced a plethora of problems increasingly with their famous, hallowed football ground over recent years. Originally built in 1910, the last large-scale renovation was in 2006.
Old Trafford is definitely showing its age with minority United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe having had to commission a taskforce to examine the merits of building a new stadium. It is no surprise that huge leaks are a common sight whenever it pours over Manchester. Footage emerged from Ruben Amorim’s press conference after Sunday’s 3-0 routing by Bournemouth of water dripping endlessly from the roof. And now Ratcliffe is facing further issues after a mice infestation was found by health inspectors.
According to the Daily Mail, mice droppings were discovered on a recent visit by hygiene inspectors. They are said to have found evidence of mice activity in a ground level comprising corporate suites and in a kiosk that sells food to fans on a concourse, though neither of the two findings were in a place where food is prepared.
United officials are now working with pest control partners and Trafford council to deal with the problem. The issue is thought to be linked to Old Trafford’s location in between a canal and a railway line. The problem worsens during colder temperatures in winter, which sees the pests gravitate to warmer and sheltered areas. Pest controllers are now visiting the famous ground between four and five times a week.
The findings have seen United’s food hygiene rating drop from four stars to two, way short of the maximum five. The vast majority of Premier League clubs have perfect hygiene ratings. But United had theirs slashed to just one star after visitors on a corporate private event were served uncooked chicken. That had been raised back up to four stars before the mouse droppings were found recently.
The club are thought keen to improve their rating to five ‘as soon as possible’. A United spokesperson said: “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 levels of hygiene and cleanliness are high wherever food is stored, prepared and served. If incidences of this nature do occur at the stadium, immediate and appropriate action is taken.”
Trafford Council have confirmed United’s hygiene rating has been slashed. A spokesperson for the authority said: “Our environmental health officers gave a food hygiene rating of two following a routine visit. We are now working closely with Manchester United to ensure it complies with the rating and carries out the necessary improvements.”