Waterfall floods through Old Trafford’s leaky roof, laying bare Man Utd’s problem
MANCHESTER UNITED were ridiculed for their leaky Old Trafford roof after a storm created a waterfall in the stadium following their 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Leandro Trossard’s goal piled more misery on Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag as the Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League table and heaped pressure on Manchester City in the title race.
For Man Utd it is now one win from eight league games.
But the on-field issues only scratch the surface of the problems at Old Trafford.
While new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to make changes to personnel at the club, the stadium remains a serious concern.
The “leaky” roof has been mocked for some time – with the condition of the ageing gantry a point raised by fans last month.
While Ratcliffe has proposed the idea of building a new stadium, Man Utd are currently left with the depleted Old Trafford.
And the gaping flaws in the ground were on full show just moments after the final whistle on Sunday.
A huge amount of water could be seen leaking through the roof and down onto seats next to the pitch as the heavens opened.
This led many football fans to chime in with their responses on social media.
One said: “This is so embarrassing 😭😭😭😭.”
Another added: “Build a new stadium man.”
A third replied: “When it rains, it pours.”
While a fourth responded: “So embarrassing from any club, let alone Manchester United.”
And a fifth said: “Everything is leaking at this club on and off the pitch.”
Old Trafford away dressing rooms inundated after Manchester downpour
The away dressing room at Old Trafford was flooded after heavy rain struck Manchester on Sunday evening.
Toward the end of Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against title-chasing Arsenal, a thunderstorm swamped the 114-year-old stadium.
Water could be seen cascading from one corner of the ground while videos on social media showed a flood pouring under seats.
The downpour even made it’s way to Arsenal’s dressing room, with footage showing heavy leaks from the roof.
Luckily, Mikel Arteta’s men had already secured big victory and the roof leak would have unlikely dampened their joy.
United said that 1.6 inches of rain fell in two hours after the final whistle – more than in the entire month of May last year – but supporters of both clubs left the stadium safely.
The deluge coincided with a visit from Labour Party leader and Arsenal season-ticket fan Sir Keir Starmer as a guest of Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who met with Lord Coe and United’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe beforehand to discuss the future of Old Trafford.
Coe is head of the taskforce driving plans to regenerate the stadium and surrounding areas.
United are backing Ratcliffe’s vision to bulldoze Old Trafford and build a ‘Wembley of the North’ at a cost of up to £2billion, but will consider renovating the existing stadium if it is not feasible.
Ratcliffe pledged £237million to upgrade Old Trafford as part of his £1.3bn investment in United, but Sunday’s flood was a reminder that plenty more will be needed to plug the gaps.
On the pitch, it was United’s 14th defeat of a dismal Premier League campaign which sees them currently sith eighth.
Leandro Trossard’s 20th minute strike proved to be the difference as the Red Devils’ European hopes faded.
Ten Hag’s side will seek to return to winning ways when they return to Old Trafford on Wednesday to take on Newcastle.
