MANCHESTER UNITED’S announcer who lets fans know when VAR is being used has been revealed as a favourite member of the backroom staff.
PA announcer Marie has worked in the football secretary’s office at Old Trafford for 40 years — and she was the voice of video assistant referees in the 4-0 win over Chelsea.
4
4
4
Usually the voice of cars being towed, or kids who have lost their parents, Marie made United history when she made the first VAR announcement during the match.
It came on 17 minutes, when Marcus Rashford was brought down in the penalty area, before going on to be awarded the kick and then be convert it.
Because the ground — which has been United’s home for 109 years — has no big screens like most other stadia in the Premier League, there needs to be a public announcement to confirm the VAR check.
The new technology was used twice more during the game, as Rashford had a goal disallowed for offside after 35 minutes.
And then Tammy Abraham’s yellow card was checked to see if he should be upgraded to a red for a foul.
A source told SunSport: “She’s one of the most likeable, loyal members of staff, which makes her the perfect choice to be the voice of the PA.”
United fans will all be familiar with stadium announcer Alan Keegan, who has been reading out the teams for 22 years and stands next to the dugouts.
He was famously told by Sir Alex Ferguson on Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to United in 2013, that he should big up the Portuguese star’s return, probably in a bid to distract Ronny.
Ronaldo went on to score the equaliser for Real Madrid before Luka Modric bagged the winner to knock Los Blancos out of the competition.
4
