Sir Alex Ferguson has opened up about the fear he experienced returning to Old Trafford following a critical health crisis in 2018. The former Manchester United manager, 84, underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a hemorrhage and spent several days in intensive care. Doctors initially gave him only a 20 percent chance of survival, but Ferguson recovered and made a public return to the club’s stadium just four months later.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast to promote his new book, *Games of My Life*, Ferguson described the fear he felt attending a Manchester United match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 2018. “I was terrified,” he said. “I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn’t.” Despite his apprehension, Ferguson was warmly welcomed by supporters as he took his seat in the directors’ box. His wife, Lady Cathy Ferguson—who was with him at the time and nearly brought to tears—considered the moment “fantastic.” Lady Cathy passed away in 2023 at the age of 84.
Ferguson reflected on the severity of his condition, noting that on the day he was admitted, five patients were treated for brain hemorrhages, with only two surviving. Beyond the surgery, he faced challenges in recovery, including losing his ability to speak. He recalled the frightening experience of being unable to communicate, even when his grandsons visited. To regain his voice, a therapist worked with him through exercises such as writing down names of animals, birds, and rivers, which helped restore his speech.
Despite his health struggles, Ferguson remains a prominent figure at Manchester United matches and is widely regarded as one of football’s greatest managers. During his tenure from 1986 to 2013, he secured every major trophy available to the club, including 13 Premier League titles.
Ferguson also shared insights into his early playing career, revealing he nearly abandoned football to move to Canada. Frustrated at not breaking into first-team football during his time with Queen’s Park and St Johnstone, he had completed paperwork for immigration without informing his parents. Ultimately, he stayed in Scotland, choices that paved the way for his legendary managerial career and significant contributions to Manchester United’s success, especially through the promotion of the “Class of ’92.”
Among those young players was David Beckham, who became an international star. Ferguson recalled how Beckham initially misunderstood his intentions when the manager sent him on loan to Preston North End in 1995. “David thought I was trying to get rid of him, which was not true,” Ferguson said. He noted that Beckham was the last of the young players to physically mature, explaining the rationale behind his loan spell.