‘I was frightened’ — He suffered a brain haemorrhage, Alex Ferguson recounts the moments of terror: I couldn’t speak, my wife cried

Sir Alex Ferguson has recounted the emotions and fear he experienced during his return to Old Trafford, after suffering a brain haemorrhage that nearly cost him his life.

The Manchester United legend, now 84, suffered a cerebral haemorrhage in 2018 and went through a long recovery period. At the time, his condition was critical and, according to earlier reports, his chances of survival were assessed as very low.

However, Ferguson returned to Old Trafford in September of the same year, for the match against Wolves. Now, ahead of the publication of his new book Games of My Life, the legendary former manager has said that returning to the stadium was not at all easy for him.

“I was terrified. I would like to say I was comfortable, but I wasn’t. I wasn’t comfortable at all,” Ferguson confessed to BBC Radio 5 Live.

He recalled the moment he was introduced at the stadium and the Manchester United fans welcomed him with long applause.

“I didn’t know what the reaction would be. You go there and the announcement for the manager is made, then comes that powerful applause. It was a deeply moving moment,” he said.

Next to him was also his wife, who, according to Ferguson, was in tears from emotion.

“My wife was with me and she was almost crying. She sat down and said: ‘Oh, this is fantastic. This is extraordinary’.”

Ferguson stressed that the fans’ support and the way they welcomed him after everything he had been through was one of the most special moments of his return.

The brain haemorrhage forced Ferguson to face a difficult rehabilitation period. He particularly remembers the moment when he lost the ability to speak.

“I always remember my grandson who came to visit me. I had lost my voice and I couldn’t speak,” he said.

Afterwards, a therapist began working with him through various exercises. Ferguson had to write the names of birds, animals and rivers, with the aim of gradually regaining the ability to speak.

“And in that way my voice came back,” he recounted.

When asked about the fear he experienced during that period, Ferguson was direct: “When I can’t speak, I have to be frightened. It was a truly frightening moment.”

Ferguson managed Manchester United for 26 seasons and became one of the most successful managers in football history. During his time at the club, he won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League trophies.