Sir Alex Ferguson recalls terror of returning to Old Trafford after brain haemorrhage

Sir Alex Ferguson, one of football's most decorated managers, has opened up about the fear and uncertainty he experienced when returning to Old Trafford for the first time following emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage in May 2018. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, the 84-year-old admitted he was "terrified" about the reception he would receive from supporters as he took his seat in the directors' box four months after the life-threatening event. His concerns were quickly dispelled when he and his wife Cathy received a standing ovation from fans before Manchester United's Premier League match against Wolves.

Ferguson, who had retired from management five years before his haemorrhage at age 76, described the emotional weight of that moment. "I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't," he told the BBC. His wife was moved to tears by the warmth of the reception. "My wife was with me, and she was nearly crying. When we sat down, she said 'that's fantastic'," Ferguson recalled, reflecting on the generosity of United supporters in recognizing his 26 years managing the club.

The recovery process was far from straightforward. In the days immediately following brain surgery, Ferguson lost his voice—a frightening development that affected communication with family members, including his grandsons. Speech therapists helped him regain his voice through targeted exercises, asking him to write down names of birds, animals, and rivers. "That was a frightening moment," he said of losing his ability to speak. "That way my voice came back."

Ferguson, now three months short of 85, reports feeling "quite good despite small injuries." During his 26-year tenure at Manchester United between 1986 and 2013, he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League titles, five FA Cups, and four League Cups. He has recently published a new book, _Games of My Life_, which chronicles 21 defining matches from his playing and managerial career, spanning from a school cup final in Glasgow in 1955 to his retirement in 2013. The book offers insights into his journey from working-class Govan to becoming one of English football's greatest managers.