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Picture receiving an invitation to sit next to Sir Alex Ferguson in the United dugout during a crucial European match. What would you do?

To photographer the lenswoman, this wasn't a hypothetical on a torrential night in Moscow in 1992. Drenched from the sideways rain, she was presented with an extraordinary choice: a perfect yet wet vantage point or a dry seat flanked by Ferguson and his assistant Brian Kidd.

As the first female photographer to gain top-division accreditation, unusual situations were par for the course. She chose the dugout.

'Take a Seat Next to Us'

Following a scoreless first leg in Manchester, the return fixture in Russia was just as chaotic as the weather. Haroun recalls never seeing rain that severe. Her equipment was drenched, and her cameras were on the verge of breaking down.

Noticed by Ferguson in the second half, he called out, "Are you a bit wet?" before instructing her to "Sit between Kiddo and myself." She passed the rest of the match there, even if she admitted she'd rather be behind the goal for superior shots.

After another 0-0 draw, United were defeated on penalties. Defender Gary Pallister, who failed to convert the decisive kick, was left sobbing into his shirt. Looking towards the dugout, he presented Haroun with a perfect back-page photograph.

With her flash ready, she thought Ferguson would be furious. True to form, the manager looked at her and warned, "Do that, I'll never speak to you again!"

'I Was Picked On Because I'm a Woman'

Regardless of her deep family connections to Manchester United—including relatives having served as directors—Haroun's journey as a woman in a male-dominated field was not always easy.

She found it tough to be taken seriously and felt she was often "singled out" by stewards and police as the "easiest target." The discrimination even led to an arrest at a fiery Leeds vs. Manchester United match, where fan trouble erupted.

"I was the one that got arrested because they saw me as the weakest link, I'm a woman," she stated.

Remembering the Wright Way

Proximity to the action came with physical risks. Haroun was once "rendered unconscious" by missiles thrown by supporters at an English club match in Turkey.

The hazard also came from the players themselves. Strikes from legends like Wayne Rooney and Denis Irwin also left her dazed. On one such occasion, Bryan Robson allegedly quipped, "If you're going to kill a photographer, Denis, make sure it's not the chairman's cousin!"

However, players could also be accommodating. Before an Arsenal match, she asked legend Ian Wright to celebrate her if he scored. He did find the net, but at first ran the opposite way.

Fortunately, Wright remembered, stopped, turned back, and ran towards her with arms outstretched, creating the "perfect picture" she had hoped for.

A Cat Named Carrington

Beyond football, Haroun is a dedicated cat lover. Her collection of multiple cats on one occasion grew thanks to an surprise call from the receptionist at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.

Told of an abandoned cat, Haroun was hesitant—she was caring for 23 at the time. But, a recognisable Scottish voice came on the line and instructed her: "Magi, take the cat!"

Following Sir Alex Ferguson's command, she took in the cat and christened her Carrington.