Man United Confidential: Club launch review of Old Trafford’s leaky roof after latest downpour, players lose free booze, the shock exit in academy clearout and green light for new fanzone outside stadium

It may be a new season but some old problems resurfaced at Old Trafford on Sunday when the roof over the Stretford End sprang a leak during torrential downpours.

Water was seen cascading down on to the pitch in the second half after the heavens opened during Manchester United’s first home game of the season against Ipswich.

Confidential understands the club have launched a review of the latest problem and will make any necessary repairs, although insiders point out that the biblical scale of the storm was a mitigating factor and say other clubs have experienced similar issues.

Old Trafford’s leaky roof has become a metaphor for the problems with United’s 116-year-old home, and one of the factors in the decision to build a new £2billion stadium next door.

It isn’t expected to be ready until 2035 so United must continue to patch up the Theatre of Dreams in the meantime.

The Ipswich game followed a summer upgrade that has seen the pitch ripped up and relaid for the first time in 14 years. United replaced the foundations and drainage system, and also extended the playing surface to get rid of a hazardous drop-off around the perimeter.

Benjamin Sesko suffered a shin injury in the game against Liverpool in May after falling down the slope and colliding with an advertising hoarding

A low wall has been covered in padding so the pitch is surrounded by a more gentle slope.

There is only so much you can do to protect players against the cut and thrust of English football, however, and two of them were sent flying into the advertising boards in the East Stand during United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich.

Dara O’Shea took a tumble when he challenged Marcus Rashford near the byline in the first half, and Abdul Fatawu also had a painful collision with the boards following a tangle with Luke Shaw in the second period. Fortunately, both Ipswich players were unhurt.

Suite ‘n’ sour

As Old Trafford hosted its first game of the season, the problems were not confined to the roof. United fans in plush hospitality suites costing as much as £5,000-a-year have been left furious at the standard of food and drink.

Confidential is aware of at least one supporter who has submitted a formal complaint to the club over the ‘poor’ and ‘unacceptable’ offerings in the Manchester Suite where the optional buffet-style food costs £900-a-season on top of the cost of the ticket.

In an email to United’s executive club support team, seen by Confidential, the fan asked for ‘appropriate compensation or reimbursement’ from the club because of the sub-standard service offered.

Another fan claimed a hostess in the 1968 Suite was reduced to tears because of the volume of complaints. The supporter described it as the ‘the worst corporate hospitality I’ve ever experienced at any sporting event’.

It’s understood the problems during the Ipswich match occurred across multiple hospitality and executive suites, where fans in some boxes resorted to ordering kids meals of chicken nuggets and chips due to the dismal quality of what they had been served.

United fans in plush hospitality suites costing as much as £5,000-a-year have been left furious at the standard of food and drink. Many are blaming Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures

Many are blaming Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures and the club’s new caterer after United named Levy as a hospitality partner back in June.

The club are aware of the issues and are reviewing the feedback from fans. United say they will work with their catering partners to gain a better understanding of the problems and make improvements.

It’s not the first time there have been problems with executive boxes at Old Trafford. In May 2025, Daily Mail Sport revealed that United had been given a two-star food hygiene rating after mouse droppings were found in hospitality suites, although the problems were later fixed and the rating restored to five stars.

You booze, you lose

There has also been some grumbling within the exclusive confines of the players’ lounge over the decision to charge family members, friends and agents of United’s first-team stars for alcoholic drinks.

Previously, the bar was free but Confidential learns that the policy has changed under Ineos – much to the bemusement of those frequenting the lounge.

While it would be easy to assume that this is the latest cost-cutting measure since minority owner Ratcliffe assumed day-to-day control at Old Trafford, insiders insist this is not the case.

They point out that the move is in line with the protocol towards alcohol at other clubs, and that the guests in the players’ lounge are still treated to a free meal without charge.

Touching tribute

There was a poignant moment before the Ipswich game, when United were led out onto the pitch by the sons of PC Matthew Blades, who were mascots for the day.

There was a poignant moment before the Ipswich game, when United were led out onto the pitch by the sons of PC Matthew Blades, who were mascots for the day

Confidential understands United were put in touch with the Blades family last week. The club offered them an open-ended invite to Old Trafford, and Matthew’s wife Sarah and their children said they would like to attend Sunday’s game.

The two boys had their photo taken in the tunnel and got autographs from the players before walking out alongside Bruno Fernandes and Senne Lammens in front of a full house.

PC Blades, who alongside his colleague PC Tom Clough was killed in an accident near Middlesbrough last month, was a dedicated United fan. In a tribute in the match programme, he was pictured with his two boys at Old Trafford.

Sesko’s private party

Since Benjamin Sesko returned for the new campaign, it’s been noted how much the striker has bulked up over the summer – despite struggling with a shin injury that kept him out of all six of United’s pre-season friendlies.

The Slovenia striker, who came off the bench against Hull and Ipswich, has clearly been hitting the gym over the last few months. And Confidential has also learned that he took some time out to thank fans at an annual get-together in his hometown of Radece.

The exclusive event, which is held around his birthday every year for the fan club that has followed the 23-year-old since the start of his career, was off-limits to media. However, Daily Mail Sport got a sneak peek behind the scenes as Sesko signed merchandise, posed for photos and took part in a Q&A session.

The player’s most loyal fan club will be hoping he has a big season at United after clearly working hard over the summer in preparation for his second season in the Premier League.

Sesko greets fans in his Slovenian hometown, an event he holds around his birthday every year for the fan club that has followed the 23-year-old since the start of his career

Academy clear-out

It has been noticeable this summer that United have put a great deal of focus on clearing out the academy. Club bosses have been eager to streamline numbers in the Under 18s and Under 21s, keeping just those players they believe have a realistic shot of breaking into the first team.

Toby Collyer, Louis Jackson, James Overy, James Scanlon, Habeeb Ogunneye, Sekou Kone (loan), Dan Gore (loan), Jacob Devaney (loan) and Jayce Fitzgerald (loan) are among those moved on, while Gabriele Biancheri, Chido Obi, Diego Leon and Harry Amass have also been made available.

United have kept too many players for too long and, with Ineos keen to move towards a model that delivers bigger profits on academy players, reducing numbers is seen as the way to go.

Sources close to those departing have praised United for allowing a number of the youngsters to leave for nothing, meaning they got better personal terms and ended up at more prestigious clubs.

Louie U-turn

One of the more surprising moves as part of the academy cull is the decision to let Under 18s striker Louie Bradbury go.

Confidential understands the young Welshman, who only signed his first-year professional deal at Old Trafford on August 12, is joining Stoke in a permanent deal.

Bradbury scored at the weekend in the Under 18s’ 3-0 win over Everton, but is now set for a new challenge in the Potteries.

Louie Bradbury (left) is joining Stoke, while Chido Obi (centre) has been made available for loan

Never too late for freight

United may have walked away from talks with Freightliner and purchased an alternative plot behind Old Trafford to build their new £2billion ‘Wembley of the North’, but the freight terminal site could still be part of the wider regeneration around the stadium.

The club announced in June that they have purchased a 25-acre triangle of land located 350 metres away from Old Trafford and do not anticipate any problems securing the remainder they need.

It signalled the end of protracted negotiations with Freightliner which didn’t look promising from the moment it emerged that the two sides were £360million apart in their valuation of the terminal behind the Stretford End.

However, when Trafford Borough Council unveiled their plan for the regeneration project in July, the land owned by Freightliner was very much part of it – which suggests a deal still needs to be done.

Either way, it will not involve United, who are committed to building on their new plot between Wharfside Way, Europa Way and John Gilbert Way, which sources say was always their preferred choice.

The model on display at the council’s launch also had a generic stadium at the heart of it, and it was interesting that United’s CEO of new stadium development, Collette Roche, said the controversial tent design by Foster + Partners is ‘not set in stone’ as the consultation process begins.

United’s CEO of new stadium development, Collette Roche, said the controversial tent design by Foster + Partners is ‘not set in stone’ as the consultation process begins

All-clear for fanzone

Talking of Trafford Borough Council and the area behind the Stretford End, United aren’t expecting any problems with planning permission for the new Paddock fanzone which is due to open in October.

The permanent structure, which will have room for around 1,300 people and be partly covered by a stretch tent, is set to feature a stage for ‘local talent and club legends’, two bars and three food trucks for supporters with tickets on matchdays.

The fanzone is due to open up to four hours before kick-off and close two hours afterwards for daytime fixtures, with reduced opening times for evening games.

Despite Sunday’s teething problems, United have taken steps to upgrade their food and beverage service for fans inside Old Trafford this summer. As with the leaky roof, the club are continuing to invest in the facilities despite a new stadium being on the horizon.

Lacey lights up Leigh

Shea Lacey looked every bit a first-team player as he toyed with Leicester City’s Under 21s at Leigh Sports Village on Monday afternoon.

His brace lit up a 4-1 win for United and Lacey, playing in front of first-team assistant boss Steve Holland, proved why he can play meaningful minutes in Michael Carrick’s side this season.

Lacey is considered a full-time first-team player now and is simply topping up his fitness and sharpness in Under 21s matches when required.

But this was one of his most dominant performances and showed that he now looks like a senior player in academy clothing. Holland was delighted with his display.

Shea Lacey looked every bit a first-team player as he toyed with Leicester City’s Under 21s at Leigh Sports Village on Monday afternoon

Autograph confusion

Confusion reigned on Monday when an announcement was made to say that United’s Under 21s wouldn’t be signing autographs, with excitable kids already stood against the pitchside barrier waiting for their favourite young players.

‘Players will not stop for photos or autographs because of commitments in the future,’ came the PA announcement, much to the bemusement of the parents and kids who had made the trip to see JJ Gabriel, Lacey, Tynan Thompson and Co. United sources insist that players were available for autographs outside, but no such announcement was made – leading to plenty of grumbles from families on the way out. A very strange move.

I will walk 500 miles …

Finally, a lovely moment at Carrington in the past week when teenage United supporter Zac Knight was introduced to Michael Carrick and the first-team squad after a 500-mile journey by foot from his Surrey home to Old Trafford.

Knight has already raised more than £100,000 for Young Epilepsy since he was diagnosed with the condition at the age of eight, and he got to tell the players all about his efforts. The teenager cycled the 500 miles back, and the hope is his visit to United’s training base will help his cause.  

Find out more about Zac’s fundraising here.