In the wake of the ‘raw chicken’ incident, Manchester United faces fresh humiliation during a hygiene inspection.

Manchester United’s hygiene rating was reduced following a food poisoning incident several months ago. However, a recent inspection has raised new concerns for the Premier League club.

Manchester United have been the subject of additional hygiene concerns, following allegations that visitors were served raw chicken just months ago.

The club’s rating was reduced from’very excellent’ to’major improvement necessary’ by the Food Standards Agency in December. Three days after visitors at United’s Stadium fell ill and a few weeks prior to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s appointment as the club’s new part-owner, the measures are believed to have been implemented in response to an inspection conducted in November.

The visitors were attending the Safety Health Environment Show at United’s stadium, and reports at the time suggested that undercooked chicken thighs may have been the cause. In late 2023, a spokesperson for Trafford Council verified that United’s hygiene rating had decreased from five to one.

More issues have been identified as a result of a distinct inspection. United’s rating has increased; however, it is currently at four, as a result of certain issues that persist.

The Mail reports that the most recent inspection resulted in the identification of oil “dripping down a wall” and mould. The same publication suggests that United have been instructed to ensure that a thorough cleaning process is conducted.

According to The Mail, the most recent report indicates that the club has implemented numerous initiatives since the previous inspection. “However, the confidence in management score must be further enhanced by the ongoing demonstration of the implementation of revised procedures.”

“The club conducted substantial improvement efforts between November and February to elevate our rating to four stars, as indicated in the report,” a club spokesperson informed Mirror Football. “We are confident that we will reclaim our 5-star rating at the earliest possible opportunity, as this is an incremental process.”

United has noted that it is uncommon for an establishment to transition from a 1-star rating to a 5-star rating, as incremental improvements must be demonstrated over an extended period. The club anticipates that it will submit an additional application for evaluation and is optimistic that the rating will be raised to five stars.

Manchester United issued the subsequent statement to Mirror Football in response to the initial downgrading in December: “Manchester United has one of the most extensive and experienced food and beverage operations in the world of sport, with over 250,000 individuals dining at the stadium restaurants and over 300 external events successfully executed annually.”

“The club is proud of the high standards and the 5-star food hygiene record that has been awarded to us for the past eight years. Every matchday, the catering is enjoyed by over 8,000 people, served by 28 kitchens throughout the stadium.” The point of failure was identified and rectified, and this was an isolated incident.

“The entire club is committed to expediting the process of regaining our 5-star food hygiene status.” We are conducting an independent food audit to identify any additional opportunities for enhancement in order to support that objective.