fbpx
Connect with us

English Premier League

Videos show mice in the stands and on the pitch amid infestation claims at Man Utd’s Old Trafford

Videos show mice in the stands and on the pitch amid infestation claims at Man Utd’s Old Trafford as they played Southampton on Thursday.

Manchester United has been dealing with a mice infestation, as evidenced by droppings were recently found during hygiene inspections.

The infestation has led to a reduction in the stadium’s food hygiene rating from four stars to two and pest control measures have been intensified, with controllers said to have been visiting the stadium four to five times a week.

Manchester United’s food hygiene rating was reduced from four stars to two after mouse droppings were discovered at Old Trafford with droppings were found during an inspection, but not in the kitchens or food preparation areas, rather in a ground-level corporate suite and a kiosk that sells food to fans.

This downgrade came despite the club claiming to have a “robust pest-control system” in place, which includes multiple weekly checks of all catering areas.

The issue is reportedly linked to Old Trafford’s location between a canal and a railway line, which can exacerbate pest problems, especially during colder weather.

The club and Trafford Council are working together to address and improve the situation.

On the 20th of December 2023, Newcastle fan Adam Pearson dressed as a mouse for his side’s game at Old Trafford, amid the story of an infestation.

A Manchester United spokesperson said: ‘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 spokesperson for Trafford Council 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.’

Back to Thursday’s game now and a late Amad Diallo hat-trick saves Ruben Amorim’s side after the Saints led into 82nd minute.

The win lifts the Red Devils up to 12th in the Premier League table, while for Southampton, they remain 10 points adrift.

Player ratings (per Sky Sports)

Man Utd: Onana (8), Yoro (4), De Ligt (5), Martinez (6), Amad (9), Ugarte (5), Mainoo (5), Mazraoui (5), Garnacho (5), Fernandes (6), Hojlund (5).

Subs used: Antony (4), Zirkzee (7), Collyer (7), Eriksen (7), Maguire (6).

Southampton: Ramsdale (6), Bree (7), Bednarek (7), Harwood-Bellis (7), Sugawara (6), Ugochukwu (8), Aribo (7), Walker-Peters (6), Fernandes (8), Dibling (8), Sulemana (8).

Subs used: Smallbone (5), Armstrong (6), Downes (6), Onuachu (6), Wood-Gordon (6).

Player of the match: Amad Diallo.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sports: “In the end it is good. A very difficult game, a game of two halves.

“They did a very good job Southampton. Creating space in-between the lines.

“Number 20 [Kamaldeen Sulemana] with a lot of space. We had a lot of difficulty to stop that player.

“When they lose their physicality, we find the space to use. The feeling is we have so much to do – the team is really tired.

“It was a win, it was good – let’s continue.”

On Amad Diallo: “Even in the first half, every time Amad gets the ball he can push the ball.

“He pushes the other team into the final third – that is really important. We didn’t have a good game, but at this moment, winning is the most important thing.”

On lack of enthusiasm: “It seems like a lack of enthusiasm. Ugarte is late and Mainoo is late, Bruno Fernandes going outside when the ball is inside.

“One transition and Yoro cannot catch the guy – small things push the team behind, and then we get nervous.

“Today was not a lack of enthusiasm, it was a lack of control in the game.”

On players suited to his system: “They are not suited to playing like that.

“With the ball, you saw, we had some patterns.”

 Ruben Amorim speaking to BBC Sport: “It was not a great game. After Liverpool and Arsenal, I felt the team was a little tired. We were always late, especially in the first half with some problems between the lines. The speed of Kamaldeen Sulemana was really hard to catch and they created some chances also. But we improved in the second half and they lost some strength because they were doing man-to-man. Then we took control of the game and created chances. You have a feeling that it’s going to be hard on them, but we deserved the win.

“I wasn’t surprised by Southampton. I knew the coach puts a lot of intensity. His style is known in Italy. They were strong in duels in the first half. But in the second, they lost some power and we took advantage of that. The most important thing in this moment is to win and we did that.”

On Amad Diallo: “He did a great job. But he has a lot to improve. He played in a different position today. He took advantage of his ability in the second half. The last goal was similar to the one at Everton with the recovery. He did a good job but he has to prepare for the next game.

“All the players in this team have the same responsibility. He doesn’t have to step up. That thing will appear if he does the work. If he train well, good things are going to happen. He has the same responsibility as every player who play for Manchester United. He is in a great moment and he is having a very good season. We see this in the past with a lot of players in our squad, so he has to continue to work and play like that.”

Southampton boss Ivan Juric speaking to BBC Sport: “We did really good for 75-80 minutes. But we missed the mentality to win the game. There is a moment where you have to be clever and be more malicious to do certain things. We were like innocent kids in some moments and we lost the game that we controlled for 75 minutes.

On whether his players buckled under pressure: “We don’t have a lot of pressure. We have six points and are last on the table. It’s part of the group. We have to be more competitive in crucial moments of the game.

“We had some really good chances in the first half and we had to score more. We began the second half very well and Kamaldeen Sulemana had a chance and others as well. We only scored once and that was not enough.

“The guys are working well. But we need to work a little more hard to maintain the intensity. I want to see the same spirit in the next game.

“Tonight, I am angry. But from tomorrow, we have to start thinking about Nottingham Forest. The players have to be conscious that they can compete and play well. Our idea is to improve every game.”

 Ivan Juric, speaking to TNT Sports:“I think we did 75 minutes playing really good – much better than Man Utd. In the last 20 minutes, not good mentality.

“To win this game you cannot play 75 minutes and then 15 minutes you have to be more malicious. A little more evil to win the game.

“It is not physicality, there’s a moment when you’re down, but you have to earn some fouls, some free throws, losing the time, being much more clever. There’s a lot of situations where we’re naive.

“Until the end we have to play like this. We have to work even more on the training. It was a really good performance here.

“We are playing a good game, and we are sorry for our fans and angry.”

“We did everything good, we had lots of chances to score more goals, but like I said we did a good game until 75 [minutes].

“I want the same performance against Nottingham.”

Manchester United’s Amad Diallo speaking to TNT after scoring a 12-minute hat-trick: “In football you have to believe. We believed until the end and are very happy to win this game. We drew with Arsenal and Liverpool so the confidence was there. We are very happy.”

On where this week ranks after scoring his first senior hat-trick and signing a new contract: “Maybe one of the best weeks in my life. I am very happy for this win. This team deserved to win this game so I am very happy.”

On why United left it so late to click into gear: “We know we have quality players in this team. We need sometimes to be more hungry in the final third. Today we showed at the end we were the best team. I am so happy for the win today because this team deserves it.

“I am ready to play every position where the manager likes to put me. I am ready to fight for this club. I am so happy to play where the manager wants me to play and I am so happy to score a hat-trick.”

Diallo speaking to BBC Sport: “I feel good. I am so happy to score my first hat-trick at Old Trafford. But for me, the most important thing was to win this game and I am happy for the club that we could win it.

“I am so happy for the goal against Liverpool and also today. But the most important thing was to win and I am happy for that.

“I think the team believed till the end. Today we showed that we were the best team on the pitch. We were going to win this game and we did it in the end.

“It’s important to win. This gives us the confidence for the next match. We have to keep going like this and play like this. I believe in this team. We can win every match. We showed at the end that we were very good.”

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, speaking to TNT Sports: “Probably the story of our season. Good for 75 minutes, we did ride our luck at times, but we had big moments we didn’t capitalize on.

“We have come out of here with a 3-1 loss – we didn’t deserve it. It is tough to take.

“The first goal came from a scramble in midfield. The second goal is a nice ball, but it is a one-two.

“The third one is a tough one as Taylor Harwood-Bellis played outstanding all game.”

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in English Premier League