- Social media images appear to show a mouse running on the Old Trafford pitch
- United saw its food hygiene rating reduced last year due to a rodent infestation.
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Manchester United's mouse infestation became public during their victory over Southampton on Thursday, when images shared on social media appear to show a mouse running across the pitch.
The English giants have been battling a mouse infestation since December, when Mail Sport revealed the club had received a two-star hygiene rating after droppings were discovered during a visit by hygiene inspectors.
Club leaders have been actively working with pest control partners and the local council to implement a series of measures to address the problem.
Mail Sport understands inspectors found evidence of mouse activity in corporate suites at ground level and at a kiosk selling food to fans on a concourse.
There is now fresh concern after video filmed by a spectator at Old Trafford shows an alleged mouse running across the Old Trafford pitch while the match was being played.
The video shows a small animal jumping and running across the grass towards one of the penalty areas as shocked spectators looked on.
Manchester United's mouse infestation became public during their victory over Southampton on Thursday.
Images shared on social media show a mouse running across the Old Trafford pitch.
A mouse is shown on the Old Trafford pitch during their match against Bodo/Glimt in November.
Stunned viewers on social media were quick to criticize United with a post calling on the league's official body to take action, stating: “For the Premier League to actually allow this to happen today is not illegal, especially if they are selling food at the premises?'.
Another post angrily took aim at United's INEOS board over the incident, adding: “It has become a club joke, mice in the stands and on the pitch, rats in the boardroom.”
United has had long-standing problems with mice and rats given Old Trafford's location directly between a canal and a railway line, both popular homes for rodents.
The problem is often exacerbated by colder temperatures in winter, causing pests to gravitate to warmer, more sheltered areas. With around 74,000 people attending each home game, the club also has to deal with large amounts of debris.
Pest controllers are now believed to visit Old Trafford four to five times a week.
United are considering demolishing the iconic stadium in favor of building a new state-of-the-art ground that would align the club with other world-class facilities.
United came back to beat Southampton, bottom of the Premier League table, 3-1.
United's minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (centre) is leading calls to build a new stadium.
Another consideration is renovating the existing facilities, although minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stated his preference for building new land.
A club spokesperson previously spoke about how they are trying to combat the rodent problem, stating in December: “Manchester United implement a robust pest control system throughout Old Trafford.
'Multiple weekly checks are carried out in all catering areas and strict measures are taken to ensure that hygiene and cleanliness levels are high wherever food is stored, prepared and served.
“If incidents of this nature occur at the stadium, immediate and appropriate action will be taken.”