Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that death crosses his mind but insists he is "not afraid of dying." The legendary Manchester United boss, now 84, has overcome a hip replacement, a severe brain haemorrhage and the passing of his wife, Lady Cathy.
In his latest work, Games of My Life, the 13-time Premier League-winning manager contemplates his own mortality. He 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."
Thoughts on Old Trafford's future
Ferguson reveals that the club's plans for a new stadium prompted thoughts about his own future. He writes: "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."
He adds: "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 unveiled proposals for a new £2billion, 100,000-seater venue in 2025. Construction is anticipated to take five to six years, assuming everything proceeds according to plan and the necessary permissions are secured.
Surviving a brain haemorrhage
Had Ferguson not survived a devastating brain haemorrhage in May 2018, he may never have lived to see the project take shape. His book centres on 21 matches that shaped both his professional career and personal life, including his emotional first return to Old Trafford following his surgery - a Premier League encounter with Wolves.
Ferguson wrote: "My world came perilously close to ending. 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."
He added: "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."
Reflecting on the 1-1 draw and the reception he received, he said: "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."
He continued: "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."
Remembering Lady Cathy
The book also features the 2024 FA Cup final, where United triumphed over Manchester City. Its inclusion holds particular significance as it followed the 2023 final between the same sides - amongst the final matches Ferguson witnessed before his wife died in October 2023, following 57 years of marriage.
Ferguson writes: "For me, the 2023 FA Cup final was particularly painful. 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."
He adds: "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."
Ferguson continues: "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."
He adds: "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.
