Homes Under The Hammer presenter Dion Dublin gives Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Man United his verdict on Old Trafford's leaky roof... as he says the issue must be fixed 'QUICK!'

Homes Under The Hammer presenter Dion Dublin has offered his verdict on what Manchester United's new ownership group needs to do to fix Old Trafford's leaky roof, urging his former club to address the problem 'quick!'.

It has become ever more clear this season that the Red Devils need to upgrade their iconic 74,000-capacity stadium after torrents of water have been seen falling from its roof.

Shocking footage emerged online following United's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal this month showing rainwater cascading from the canopy of the historic stadium after a storm had swept through the city. Videos were also seen of rainwater pouring into the away team's dressing room through the ceiling. 

Dublin, a former Man United striker who has worked as a presenter on the BBC daytime television show since 2015, stated that the stadium's dilapidation was 'slightly embarrassing'.  

'Get a new roof! Get a new roof, quick! Get it sorted!' the Homes Under the hammer presenter joked during an interview with Mail Sport.

'Listen, it's common knowledge. And I'm pretty sure the new owners know about the stadium. It’s been there a long time.

'There's been certain improvements, in certain ways. But I think that was possibly a little bit of a reminder to the owners to get things sorted. Let's make Manchester United's home secure, safe and up-to-date.'

Following the arrival of the club's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there has been speculation that the United are assessing options to either upgrade Old Trafford or knock down the stadium and carry out a total rebuild. 

United are thought to have also have drawn up a plan to replace the roof on the Sir Bobby Charlton stand.

'Whether we upgrade that, whether we move, I don't know what's going to happen.' Dublin added.

'But that cannot be happening at Manchester United, regardless of how much rain has been falling within a certain amount of time. It just cannot happen. So it is a slightly embarrassing moment, I would imagine.'

Ratcliffe has previously spoken of his desire to emulate the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona and build a 'world class' football arena that can house 100,000 fans. He has also added that he wants to turn Old Trafford, which has been United's home since 1910, into the 'Wembley of the North'.

His vision has been backed by the club and Mail Sport understands that a taskforce, which includes Lord Sebastian Coe, Gary Neville and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, has been established to oversee a potential re-development project to build a new stadium.  

On the pitch, United have endured a torrid season, with the club wrapping up their 2023-24 campaign eighth in the Premier League - their lowest top-flight finish since 1989-90. 

While they have been plagued by a raft of injuries, questions have been mounting over Erik ten Hag's future at the club, with The Guardian claiming on Friday that he 'will be sacked' even if Man United win the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday.

Concerns have also arisen that the gap between the Red Devils and their rivals Manchester City has significantly increased, with United failing to live up to their own standards as one of the biggest footballing institutions in the world. 

Offering his take on United's indifferent campaign, Dublin admitted that his former side are 'a million miles off' the 2023-24 Premier League champions, but believes there are some key areas in which they can improve.   

'The backbone is Man United are a long way off City,' the former United centre forward told Mail Sport. 'Forget Arsenal. Forget Tottenham. Forget Villa. We are a long way off City. City are the best team in the league. That's it.

'Arsenal are coming very close. Liverpool are coming very close. City are the best team in the league and it's really hard to argue that. 

'Man United are a million miles off that. So forget second and third. I don't want to be as good as second or third - as a Man United player. I want to be as good as first and better. They have to try and get to that standard.  

'So they need better quality players, or they need the players they have to be coached better to become better. It's as simple as that.

'It could take time,' he added. 'But it does mean that Manchester United would be the force they were many years ago, if given the time to do that.'

United have struggled to maintain the standards set by serial winner Sir Alex Ferguson during his glittering 26-year reign as United manager.

Since his departure in 2013, which was the last time the club clinched the Premier League title, United have won six major honuors, including two EFL Cups, two Charity Shields, a Europa League title and the Emirates FA Cup.

'The big question is will they be given the time? I don't know,' Dublin added. 'Manchester United, as players, fans and hierarchy, they want trophies every single year. And with all due respect to the Carabao Cup - that's not really what they want.

'They have to be winning the Emirates FA Cup they have to be winning the Premier League. They have to be winning the Champions League. That's Manchester United. A trophy is a trophy - I get it. But Manchester United have to be in that pool of City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund. They have to be in there.'

United will have a chance to clinch the FA Cup on Saturday as they take on their rivals Man City at Wembley. 

Ahead of the final, Emirates have partnered with the Football Association and have set four pairs of fans the challenge of completing The Race to The FA Cup Final.

Each team was tasked with navigating their way from their club's football stadium to an Emirates check-in desk at a nearby airport, as they competed for the chance to win several exciting prizes including a holiday to Dubaias well as tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley.

But along the way each pair encountered several challenges that were set by footballing legends Shay Given, Wes Brown, Ray Parlour and Dublin. Two lifelong Aston Villa fans were surprised by Dublin at Villa Park, with the club's former centre forward explaining the competition to them before setting them their first task. 

Along the way, Dublin also sent the pair several video messages asking further questions relating to the challenge.

Speaking on his role during the race, the ex-Aston Villa forward stated it was a special experience to share stories and memories from his playing career with those who have supported him along the way.  

'My little part has been great. It's been great fun,' he told Mail Sport. 'And there's nothing better for somebody in my position, who's very luckily played the game and had fans watching me play, to be able to give back a little bit to people that have supported you and watched you play.'

'It's a bigger picture thing, to be honest,' he added. 'I think the handing over of the tickets and the chance to speak to people.'

Emirates has challenged fans to travel from their favourite team’s stadium to the Emirates airport check-in desk in the quickest time. Along the way they met footballing legends, answered fan-focused quizzes and harnessed the need for speed. Find out which fans completed the challenge in the quickest time, winning tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final and a trip to Dubai.