Manchester United’s Old Trafford home given 1 out of 5 rating by Food Standards Agency after inspection

The recent drop in Old Trafford’s food hygiene rating from 5 to 1 has brought significant attention to Manchester United’s management of food safety. The Food Standards Agency’s rating highlights the need for major improvements in the club’s approach to this crucial aspect of their operations. The reported incident of serving raw chicken at a corporate event is certainly alarming, and it’s clear that swift action was required to address this issue.

In response to the situation, Manchester United has taken steps to rectify the failures, including rebriefing kitchen staff, reviewing kitchen procedures, and commissioning an external audit of all kitchens. The club has also heightened the frequency of their audit regime to provide assurance to fans and customers, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the highest culinary standards. It’s crucial for a club of this stature, which serves thousands of meals each month, to ensure impeccable food safety standards.

While the club has emphasized that the incident was isolated and swiftly addressed, the impact of this downgrade on their ability to host corporate events and generate revenue cannot be understated. Moreover, critics of the Glazer regime at Old Trafford may point to this as an indicator of the lack of investment in the club’s infrastructure, echoing dissatisfaction with the broader management of the organization.

The implications of this situation extend beyond the immediate concerns about food safety, as it raises questions about the club’s overall management and operations. It’s evident that just like the need for major improvement on the pitch, there is a pressing need for enhancement in other critical aspects of the club’s functioning. The recent draw against Liverpool was a step in the right direction for the team, and there’s hope for continued progress in the upcoming match against West Ham. While on-field performances can be turned around with positive results, addressing the food hygiene rating and broader operational concerns will undoubtedly require thorough and sustained efforts from Manchester United.