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Imagine being invited to take a seat beside Sir Alex Ferguson in the United dugout during a crucial European match. How would you react?

For photographer Magi Haroun, this wasn't a hypothetical on a storm-lashed night in Moscow in 1992. Soaked from the horizontal rain, she was presented with an extraordinary decision: a perfect but soggy shooting position or a spot in the stands flanked by Ferguson and his right-hand man Brian Kidd.

As the pioneering woman photographer to gain top-division accreditation, remarkable situations were all in a day's work. She opted for the dugout.

'Come and Sit Between Kiddo and Me'

After a goalless first leg in Manchester, the second match in Russia was as unpredictable as the conditions. Haroun describes witnessing rain that severe. Her equipment was soaking, and her cameras were likely to fail of breaking down.

Noticed by Ferguson in the second half, he called out, "Are you a bit wet?" before telling her to "Come between Kiddo and myself." She spent the remainder of the match there, even if she would have preferred behind the goal for superior shots.

After a second 0-0 draw, United lost on penalties. Centre-back Gary Pallister, who missed the final kick, was left sobbing into his shirt. Facing the dugout, he presented Haroun with a potential front-page image.

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

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

Despite her deep family connections to Manchester United—including family members having served as directors—Haroun's journey as a woman in a male-dominated field was far from easy.

She struggled to be taken seriously and believed she was often "singled out" by security and police as the "weakest link." The discrimination came to a head with an incident at a fiery Leeds vs. Manchester United match, where fan trouble erupted.

"I was the one that got arrested because I'm the weakest link, I'm a woman," she said.

Try to Run the Wright Way

Proximity to the pitch came with very real risks. Haroun was once "knocked out" by missiles thrown by supporters at an English club match in Turkey.

The danger also came from the players themselves. Strikes from legends like Wayne Rooney and Denis Irwin at times left her dazed. On one such occasion, Bryan Robson reportedly quipped, "Pick a different target, Denis, make sure it's not the chairman's cousin!"

Yet, players could also be helpful. Before an Arsenal match, she told legend Ian Wright to run towards her if he scored. He did find the net, but initially ran the wrong way.

To her relief, Wright realised, halted, turned back, and ran towards her with arms outstretched, creating the "ideal picture" she had hoped for.

A Cat Named Carrington

Away from football, Haroun is a dedicated feline enthusiast. Her collection of multiple cats once grew thanks to an unexpected call from the receptionist at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.

Informed of an abandoned cat, Haroun was reluctant—she was caring for 23 at the time. However, a recognisable gruff voice came on the line and instructed her: "You have to take it!"

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