Man Utd receive boost to food hygiene rating after serving ‘raw chicken’ in mouse-infested kitchen
Manchester United fans have plenty to celebrate right now, and it’s not just what’s happening on the pitch.
The club has finally secured its five-star food hygiene rating at Old Trafford after a nightmare two-year period that saw standards plummet dramatically.
It’s brilliant news for the Reds, who are enjoying a resurgence under new manager Michael Carrick following impressive victories against Arsenal and in the Manchester derby.
The stadium’s catering operation had become something of an embarrassment, but inspectors visiting earlier this month gave the thumbs up across the board, rating cleanliness, food safety management and hygienic handling all to the highest standard.
Guests at a corporate event had been served raw chicken at Manchester United
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PA
The troubles began back in December 2024 when reports revealed the stadium had been hit with a one-star rating – the lowest possible score.
Guests at a corporate event had been served raw chicken, leaving several visitors to a Safety Health Environment Show feeling unwell after tucking into undercooked chicken thighs.
Inspectors demanded major improvements, and club officials were hopeful a follow-up visit would restore their five-star status, which is standard across Premier League venues.
Unfortunately, that second inspection only made things worse, uncovering a whole new set of problems that kept the top rating frustratingly out of reach.
That follow-up inspection found mould lurking in a dishwasher, grease dripping down walls and rotting metal shelves in a storage area, earning the club just four stars.
Things are looking up for United with Michael Carrick winning two games out of two
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REUTERS
Things got even worse during a later check, when the rating dropped to two stars after mouse droppings were discovered in seven different locations around the stadium.
The contamination even reached the premium hospitality areas, with droppings found in the No 7 Suite – described on the club’s website as one of the most stylish spaces in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, where tickets start at £550 per person.
The Manchester Suite was also affected, with a large number of droppings found there too.
The club responded at the time by implementing what they called a robust pest-control system, promising immediate action whenever such issues arose.
Staff were said to be devastated by the findings and have worked tremendously hard to turn things around, according to insiders.
It’s worth noting that Old Trafford faces unique challenges – the stadium’s age, its location beside the canal, 29 separate kitchens and around 250,000 diners each season make maintaining standards particularly tricky.
Any slip-ups can quickly affect the overall rating, but the team’s dedication has finally paid off with top marks restored earlier this month.
