Is Man United’s £2bn ‘New Old Trafford’ design a COPYCAT? Post by club’s former PR man prompts speculation that design was inspired by Morocco’s 115,000-seater ‘tent’ World Cup stadium

Fans are speculating whether Manchester United’s new £2billion stadium design has been copied, after a post made by former club chief hinted that it is glaringly similar to a 115,000-capacity venue being built in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

Manchester United unveiled plans for the new 100,000-seater stadium on Tuesday morning, showing off the design which includes a glass and steel ‘umbrella’ canopy to keep fans dry inside and outside and three giant towers inspired by the Red Devils’ trident.

A huge wraparound scoreboard also features in the plans, along with a three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants as part of a vast fan village in a project Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes will ‘preserve the essence of Old Trafford… while transforming the fan experience only footsteps from our existing home’. 

Man United also ambitiously proposed that the stadium, which would become the largest covered space in the world, will be completed within a timeframe of just five years.

While fans were reacting to the news on social media, Manchester United’s former Director of Communications Charlie Brooks posted a timely message to share how work is still ongoing for the Stade Hassan Stadium in Morocco, which has ‘red seats’ and is ‘covered by a giant tented structure’.

PR man Brooks, who has previously worked for sports brand Nike as well as Manchester United, now represents Populous — the architecture company who designed Tottenham‘s new home and are now in the process of shaping Morocco’s state-of-the-art stadium in Casablanca. 

Former Man United director Charlie Brooks, who now works for architectural designers Populous, hinted that United’s new stadium was a copy of Morocco’s 2030 World Cup venue

The 115,000-capacity venue in Casablanca (above) is set to host the 2030 World Cup final

Initially commissioned by Manchester United’s Glazer family owners in the spring of 2022, Populous were tasked with drawing up a masterplan before Sir Norman Foster, one of the most famous British architects in modern times, took over the project.

Brooks posted to X on Tuesday, shortly after United’s stadium unveiling: ‘Work continues on the Stade Hassan Stadium in Morocco, a 115,000 capacity stadium with red seats covered by a giant tented structure, announced last August…..’

He shared a link to Populous’ website showcasing new images of the Casablanca stadium, which will host the final of the 2030 World Cup being held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco and is projected to become the largest football venue in the world.

‘The design draws inspiration from the traditional social gathering of Morocco known as a “moussem”, with the stadium structure set under a grand tented roof that emerges as a dramatic intervention in the forested landscape,’ Populous’ description of the venue reads.

‘At both ends of the colossal stadium bowl, three steep, compact tiers ensure a vibrant and spectacular atmosphere. Each “end” of the stadium holds 29,500 general admission spectators.

‘Five levels of hospitality along each of the main stands at the side of the pitch welcome 12,000 VVIP, VIP, Hospitality and Box users, in addition to the Royal box.

‘The stadium is covered by a spectacular roof made from a unique aluminium lattice. Supporting the geometry of the roof and the bowl is a ring of 32 stairways, creating monumental gateways that feature lush gardens positioned on raised platforms, each 28 meters from the ground.’

In response to Brooks’ post, a group of fans have accused Manchester United of copying the impressive ‘umbrella’ design from Morocco’s ‘tent’ structure.

The venue, outside Casablanca, draws inspiration from Morocco’s traditional social gatherings

It draws several comparisons to Manchester United’s new 100,000-capacity stadium plans

Man United’s design includes a sweeping glass and steel canopy above that will keep fans dry 

Fans were quick to accuse Man United of copying Morocco’s state-of-the-art stadium design

‘They’re copying Morocco’s Hassan II stadium,’ one fan said.

They are coping The Morocco World Cup Stadium The Grand Stade Hassan II, with a capacity of 115,000 seats,’ a second added.

Another posted: ‘What Morocco did yesterday, Manchester does today.’

A fourth chimed in and said: ‘Morocco united if they have their stadium looking like that wtf.’

Speaking on United’s new stadium design, Lord Foster — Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners — said: ‘This has to be one of the most exciting projects in the world today, with incredible regional and national significance. 

‘It all starts with the fans’ experience, bringing them closer than ever to the pitch and acoustically cultivating a huge roar. 

‘The stadium is contained by a vast umbrella, harvesting energy and rainwater, and sheltering a new public plaza that is twice the size of Trafalgar Square. 

‘The outward-looking stadium will be the beating heart of a new sustainable district, which is completely walkable, served by public transport, and endowed by nature. 

A three-storey museum and canal-side restaurants will be included within a vast fan village

Red Devils co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe vows to deliver ‘the world’s greatest football stadium’

The Red Devils’ own, tree-lined version of Wembley Way (pictured in concept above) would stretch from beyond the current Holy Trinity statue to well inside the existing Old Trafford

While some fans lauded the design of Man United’s new stadium – and described it as looking like a ‘palace’ – others were less convinced and claimed it resembled a circus tent (above)

It is a mixed-use miniature city of the future – driving a new wave of growth and creating a global destination that Mancunians can be proud of.’

While some fans lauded the design and described it as looking like a ‘palace’, others were less convinced and claimed it resembled a circus tent. 

‘Ffs looks like a circus,’ wrote one, with the prerequisite emoji of a big top. 

‘Looks awful. Looks like a circus for the clowns gonna play in it’ said another.

‘Haha circus tent,’ wrote one football fan, before another seemed to send a barb towards the unpopular Glazer family co-owners: ‘Glazers really building themselves a circus tent for the clowns that they are.’