What a Mess! Besides Leaks, Old Trafford is Also Full of Rats

Old Trafford, the iconic stadium that is home to Manchester United, is back in the spotlight after a rat population was found inside its facilities. This problem adds to the long list of infrastructure challenges faced by the historic stadium.

According to a report from the Daily Mail , a cleaning inspection found rat droppings in several key areas of the stadium. The findings range from the corporate suite on the ground floor to the food stalls in the stands.

After the inspection, Old Trafford received a two-star rating, out of a maximum of five stars. This result indicates that Old Trafford is far from clean.

Although no evidence of rat activity was found in the kitchen or food preparation areas, the downgrade of the food hygiene rating from four to two stars is still a major blow to Old Trafford's reputation.

Causal Factors and Control Efforts
Old Trafford's strategic but challenging location, between a canal and a railway line, is thought to be a major factor in the rat infestation. The cold winter temperatures also encourage rats to seek warm places such as stadiums for shelter.

Pest control teams are currently making visits four to five times a week to deal with the problem. Manchester United also said they have implemented a strict pest control system.

"Regular checks are carried out in all catering areas, and stringent measures are taken to ensure hygiene wherever food is stored, prepared and served," a club spokesperson said.

Manchester United are working with Trafford Council and pest control partners to ensure immediate repairs are carried out. However, without significant renovation or infrastructure changes, similar issues could recur in the future.