Man Utd owners want players to wear AR camers so fans can 'pay to be Marcus Rashford or Bruno Fernandes'

According to ESPN,the Red Devils could soon see their players wearing cameras during matches as part of a strategic move by the Glazer family to enhance revenue streams. Despite recent criticism of their ownership, the Glazers retained the majority stake in the club while selling a 25% minority share to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.

The Glazers are eyeing Augmented Reality (AR) as a potential avenue for innovation and revenue generation. Led by former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the club sees AR as a significant opportunity, aligning with the Glazers' vision for the future of Manchester United.

A source has been quoted by ESPN saying: "The big idea, or maybe the big hope, that the Glazers have - and this was driven by Ed Woodward - is the emergence of Augmented Reality. The technology is already out there whereby a player could have an AR wearable on his body and a supporter anywhere in the world could pay a small fee to experience a game through the eyes of his favourite player.

“Just imagine how much United could generate from their huge global fanbase if supporters were able to pay to be Marcus Rashford or Bruno Fernandes for 90 minutes?”

The Glazers' interest in AR is not unfounded, given their successful implementation of the technology with their NFL franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in 2016. However, the use of bodycams in competitive football matches is currently prohibited by IFAB, limiting the club's ability to explore this technology fully. Nonetheless, the Glazers remain committed to exploring innovative opportunities to enhance fan engagement and drive revenue growth at the club.