Manchester United – and Ruben Amorim, in particular – are preparing for their Europa League final clash against Tottenham Hotspur but, behind the scenes, the Red Devils have been slapped with another two-star hygiene rating and the reasoning has emerged.
The club, whose football operations are now run by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS-led team, saw their rating drop from four stars to two back in November 2024. As such, the past months have been focused on rectifying their issue.
Albeit rated highly thanks to its rich history, the ever-growing mistreatment of the Theatre of Dreams has caused more issues – evidenced by when Amorim’s press conference was brought to a halt after a leak in the ceiling was spotted – and the recent inspection report is the latest of their worries.
Man Utd Slapped with Two-Star Hygiene Rating
Damning inspection was carried out in mid-April
As mentioned, the 13-time Premier League champions were forced to rely on pest control at the end of 2024 after rat droppings were found in areas of Old Trafford, including in ‘corporate suites and in a kiosk that sells food to fans on the concourse’.
The issue was believed to have stemmed from the stadium’s location between a canal and a railway line – and the club worked in tandem with the local council to sort out the problem. But just months along, and they haven’t been able to tackle the issue.
A report from the Daily Mail, however, has insisted that the most recent inspection report of Old Trafford – widely regarded as one of the best stadiums in Premier League history – detailed findings of more mouse droppings throughout the 74,310-seater.
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As reported, the inspection report – which was carried out by professionals in mid-April – claimed droppings were found in several spots around the ground: inside the Ambassador Lounge, in the Manchester Suite and in the Number 7 suite.
The latter has been described as ‘one of the most stylish spaces’ in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand on the club’s official website. To highlight its lavish setting, prices start at £550 per person – and in the Manchester Suit, come in at around £600 per head.
Per Nathan Salt of the Daily Mail, a Manchester United spokesperson said that the Old Trafford-based outfit follow a vigorous system to control pests. “Manchester United implement a robust pest-control system throughout Old Trafford,” they said.
“Multiple weekly checks are made in all catering areas and stringent measures are taken to endure 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.”
Old Trafford Faithful React to Two-Star News
‘Cristiano Ronaldo was correct about the state of the club’
In response, the Old Trafford faithful have made their feelings known as one simply lablled the club ‘genuinely embarrassing’. “This club drives me mad,” another commented as a third supporter claimed: “Cristiano Ronaldo was correct about the state of the club.”
The news comes amid a chance to salvage something from an otherwise dismal campaign for Libson-born Amorim – one of the best young managers in world football – and his men as they face Spurs in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao.
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To conclude the proceedings of the 2024/25 campaign, the Red Devils play host to Aston Villa on the final day of the Premier League season. As things stand, they reside in 16th – one place ahead of the north Londoners – and can only finish as high as 14th place.
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