A view of Old Trafford
Credit: Reuters Photo
Manchester United don't have a lot going for the club recently.
Despite getting a new manager with Ruben Amorim joining from Sporting, the club has not quite been able to find its form (enviable glances at the season their eternal rivals Liverpool are having with Arne Slot). The stadium needs rework, the team needs rebuilding, and the ceiling began to leak during Amorim's post-match conference after the Bournemouth game. An away win against Manchester City is a sole consolation in a line of disappointments for a Red Devil.
Now, there is another problem. Old Trafford, the club's home ground, is reportedly facing a mouse infestation. Droppings were found during a recent visit by hygiene visitors, The Daily Mail reported, and the club was hit with a two-star rating out of a possible five.
As per the publication, club officials are working with people from pest control as well as the local council. Measures are being put in place to tackle the problem.
United earlier enjoyed a four-star rating, but now the club has been ordered to make improvements. The issue likely rises due to the stadium's location between a canal and a railway line.
Mail Sport, in 2015, had revealed how Man United was working with pest control contractors to deal with a rodent issue in the North and South stands. Some had also been spotted in staff offices.
Colder temperatures in winter, and debris left by a possible crowd of 74,000 increases chances of mice coming into Old Trafford.
As per the publication, pest controllers are now visiting the stadium four to five times a week. United remain keen on getting the rating to five 'as soon as possible', as per insiders who spoke to the Daily Mail. No rodents or rodent droppings have been found where food is prepared.
Under Ineos and Jim Ratcliffe, there are also plans of renovating Old Trafford -- built originally in 1910 -- or getting a new stadium.
While most Premier League clubs have five-star ratings, United had seen theirs drop to one after visitors at a corporate event were served uncooked chicken. The club managed to get this back to four stars in time for the November inspection.
A Manchester United spokesperson told the publication, "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 Trafford Council spokesperson, meanwhile, 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."
Speaking of rats at United, the club is also dealing with the issue of the team sheet getting leaked, and as per The Sun has launched a probe into the matter. Reportedly Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo were quizzed and there are reports of Garnacho's brother being suspected, though the club responded to the news of the Argentinian winger being linked to the leak as 'rubbish'.