5 stars on and off the pitch: major boost for United as Old Trafford receives glowing report – report

Old Trafford has reportedly been awarded a five-star food hygiene rating following an inspection of Manchester United’s catering areas. According to the Daily Mail, the club’s matchday and hospitality operation has now returned to the top rating after a period of scrutiny. There are supporters who have spent huge sums of money for hospitality, and thus want the basics done properly on a matchday. This is, therefore, positive news for United fans off the pitch and a brilliant week from the team on it. A turnaround behind the scenes The report states that Old Trafford previously suffered a drop in its rating after issues were raised during inspections. These concerns were linked to food preparation and storage areas. There were also claims of problems in suites and kiosks, with earlier coverage revealing Trafford Council’s environmental health officers had issued a lower rating after a visit. The club, however, was working to make improvements, and that report noted United had pointed to tough measures and multiple weekly checks across catering areas. The Daily Mail now explains that the latest inspection has restored the five-star score. This is a sign that changes have been made and processes tightened. Brighter days ahead Old Trafford is not just a stadium; it is also a weekly event site that serves huge numbers across general concourses, lounges and corporate spaces. When standards slip, the backlash is immediate – and this is because it affects paying fans, or customers, in real time. United have spoken a lot in recent years about raising standards across the club. This is one of those areas where improvement is not optional – it is the minimum expectation. If the report is accurate, the hope is that the five-star rating is not a one-off headline. Rather, it is the new normal for the stadium experience. Michael Carrick and his revitalised Reds simply can’t stop winning on and off the pitch right now. Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Okari Wambunya Okari Wambunya is a football writer at The Peoples Person, covering Manchester United with fast, source-led updates on team news, transfers, and matchday reaction. A former teacher, he now coaches grassroots football and continues to support young people through academic mentoring and youth work. He holds a BA (Hons) in English from Brunel University London and an MA in Education from King’s College London, with experience across digital journalism and broadcast sports media. Okari first praised Michael Carrick in a blog post he wrote at 16 years old in 2014; over a decade later, Man United appointing Carrick as interim head coach feels like a full-circle moment.