- Manchester United are working with pest control and the council to fix the issue
- The majority of other Premier League clubs have five-star hygiene ratings
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Manchester United have been hit by a mice infestation at Old Trafford.
Droppings were discovered on a recent visit by hygiene inspectors and the club slapped with a two-star rating, way short of the maximum five.
Club officials are working with pest control partners and the local council and are implementing a series of measures aimed at tackling the problem.
Mail Sport understands that inspectors found evidence of mice activity in a ground level corporate suites and in a kiosk that sells food to fans on a concourse.
They subsequently dropped United’s food hygiene rating from four stars to two – and ordered improvements to be made.
The issue is linked to the famous stadium’s location in between a canal and a railway line.
Old Trafford has been hit with a mice infestation and handed a two-star hygiene rating
A mouse is pictured on turf at Old Trafford during their match against Bodo/Glimt in November
Inspectors found evidence of mice in a concourse food kiosk and in corporate suites
In 2015, Mail Sport revealed how the club were working with pest control contractors to deal with problems with rodents in the North and South stands. Indeed, some had even been spotted in staff offices.
The problem is often exacerbated by colder temperatures in winter, which sees the pests gravitate to warmer and sheltered areas. Given around 74,000 attend each home game, the club also have to deal with large amounts of debris.
Pest controllers are now thought to be visiting Old Trafford between four and five times a week.
The club are keen to improve their rating to five ‘as soon as possible’, according to insiders. Neither of the two findings were in a place where food is prepared.
The issue is the latest to hit the stadium which was originally built in 1910.
Leaks have been commonplace and footage emerged from Ruben Amorim’s press conference after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth of water dripping from the roof.
United, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, are currently exploring whether to build a new stadium or renovate Old Trafford.
The vast majority of Premier League clubs have 5-star hygiene ratings. United saw theirs slashed to just one star after visitors on a corporate private event were served uncooked chicken. They had subsequently seen it raised to four stars at the time of the inspection, in November.
The vast majority of Premier League clubs have five-star hygiene ratings, but not Man United
It comes as another blow to Man United and Ruben Amorim with the club on course for their worst-ever Premier League season
A Manchester 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.’
A spokesperson for Trafford Council 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.’
