Sir Alex reveals he is in Fergie Time – and plans to be at new Man Utd stadium in physique or spirit
Sir Alex Ferguson fears he may not be alive to see Manchester United move into their proposed new stadium but promises he’ll be at the ceremony
Sir Alex Ferguson says death crosses his mind but he does not fear it(Image: Getty)
Sir Alex Ferguson plans to be at Manchester United’s new stadium launch – even as a ghost! The 84-year-old is not spooked about dying and claims he has plenty of spirit left.
He’s survived a brain haemorrhage and the death of his beloved wife, Lady Cathy. And in his new book Games of My Life, the 13-time Premier League champion promises to haunt United’s new stomping ground – the Theatre of Screams.
Ferguson writes: “I’m not one to dwell on what my Maker has in store for me, nor am I afraid of dying. Mortality is always with us, even at the most unexpected of times. I’m much more interested in squeezing the most out of life. There’s much I want to do and a lot of people with whom I want to spend time.
Ferguson hopes to be around to witness the new ground(Image: Sean Pollock)
“Yet, every now and again, death crosses my mind. When United announced their plans for a fabulous new stadium to replace Old Trafford, I found myself wondering whether I would be around to celebrate its opening.
“I hope they get to break ground quickly, because if it takes five years to complete, I’ll be pushing ninety. However, I know I’ll be at the ceremony one way or another – in person or in spirit.”
United revealed proposals to construct a new £2billion, 100,000-capacity stadium in 2025. The project carries an estimated five-to-six-year construction schedule, assuming everything proceeds without hitches.
The 84-year-old opens up in his book(Image: Sean Pollock)
But Sir Alex might never have been present to even learn about the project had he not survived a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in May 2018. His book centres on 21 matches that shaped his career or personal life. One of those fixtures was his first return to Old Trafford following surgery – a Premier League encounter with Wolves.
“My world came perilously close to ending,” Ferguson wrote. “On the day they operated on me at Salford Royal, four other patients also had surgery for the same complaint. Only two of us lived to tell the tale. The fact that less than half of us were still alive at the end of that day shows how many factors have to click into place for the ending to be a happy one.
“I survived, not because I received special treatment, but due to a series of fortunate events: I had quick-witted family members around me; well-informed advice was readily available; the paramedics knew exactly what to do; I received a timely pair of scans; the doctors operated as soon as they could; and I received wonderful care during my recovery. My heart goes out to the families of those who weren’t as fortunate as me that day. I’m lucky I’m still here.”
Ferguson was the star of the show when he returned after surgery(Image: Getty)
Reflecting on the match and the warm welcome he received before and during the 1-1 draw, he added: “From the moment I got out of the car at the stadium, I felt as if an entire community was opening its heart to me. It was overwhelming. I felt like I was returning to a familiar and much-loved cocoon. It was an extraordinary feeling.
“It signalled that I hadn’t been forgotten, which I imagine is the fear of many retirees. I know that sounds daft, when my name is plastered on one of the stands at Old Trafford and there is a statue of me and a street that bears my name outside the ground. But, when you are lying by yourself in a hospital bed, it’s all too easy to think that the rest of the world never knew you existed.”
Another match featured in the publication was the 2024 FA Cup final, where United triumphed over Manchester City. This was incorporated as it followed the 2023 showpiece between the same rivals – amongst the final fixtures Ferguson witnessed before his wife’s death in October 2023, following 57 years of marriage.
Lady Cathy died in 2023(Image: Getty)
“For me, the 2023 FA Cup final was particularly painful,” Ferguson writes. “Even before the kick-off, it had a black cloud hanging over it because of Cathy’s increasing frailty and pain at that time. After the game, I went straight from London back to Manchester and didn’t get home until late. I just didn’t want to be away from her overnight.
“A little over four months later, Cathy was gone. We had marked her passing with a moving service at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow. Our sons and older grandsons carried her coffin and I was enormously touched by the number of people from all parts of our life together who turned up to remember her.
“It meant the world to me. Our ever-expanding family and our friends were there – some of whom had known her for close to seventy years. There were also a lot of the United staff, a good number of former players and several managers.
“Our son Jason gave a moving and eloquent eulogy, which captured Cathy and was pitch-perfect. Two days after she died, her second great-grandchild had been born in Aberdeen. The baby was named Isla Catherine. And then, two days after her funeral, another great-grandchild arrived, born in London and named Archibald Alexander Sebastian. Cathy would have been over the moon.”
Games of My Life by Alex Ferguson publishes on 8th October by Macmillan.
