- Manchester United are working with pest control and the council to resolve the problem
- Most other Premier League clubs have five-star hygiene ratings
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Manchester United has been hit by a MICE infection at Old Trafford.
Faeces were discovered during a recent visit by hygiene inspectors and the club was given a two-star rating, well below the maximum of five.
Club officials are working with pest control partners and the council and are implementing a range of measures to tackle the problem.
Mail Sport understands that inspectors found evidence of mouse activity in corporate suites on the ground floor and in a kiosk selling food to fans in a concourse.
They then downgraded United’s food hygiene rating from four to two stars and ordered improvements.
The issue relates to the famous stadium’s location between a canal and a railway line.
Old Trafford has been hit by a mouse plague and has been given a two-star hygiene rating
A mouse is pictured on the Old Trafford pitch during their match against Bodo/Glimt in November
Inspectors found evidence of mice in a lobby food kiosk and in corporate suites
In 2015, Mail Sport revealed how the club worked with pest control companies to tackle rodent problems in the North and South Stands. Some had even been spotted in staff offices.
The problem is often exacerbated by colder temperatures in winter, which draw the pests to warmer and sheltered areas. With around 74,000 people attending each home match, the club also has to deal with large amounts of rubble.
It is now believed that pest controllers visit Old Trafford four to five times a week.
According to insiders, the club wants to improve the rating to five ‘as quickly as possible’. Neither finding took place at a food preparation site.
The issue is the latest to affect the stadium, which was originally built in 1910.
Leaks are commonplace and during Ruben Amorim’s press conference after Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, images emerged of water dripping from the roof.
United, together with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, are currently investigating whether to build a new stadium or renovate Old Trafford.
The vast majority of Premier League clubs have a five-star hygiene rating. United saw theirs drop to just one star after attendees were served uncooked chicken at a private event. They then saw it rise to four stars during the inspection in November.
The vast majority of Premier League clubs have five-star hygiene ratings, but Man United does not
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 is implementing a robust pest control system across Old Trafford.
‘Multiple weekly checks are carried out in all catering areas and strict measures are taken to ensure that levels of hygiene and cleanliness are high wherever food is stored, prepared and served.
“If these types of incidents occur at the stadium, immediate and appropriate action will be taken.”
A Trafford Council spokesperson 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 meets the rating and makes the necessary improvements.”