'I was terrified': Sir Alex Ferguson reflects on brain haemorrhage recovery and the games that shaped his life

Sir Alex Ferguson has described the fear he felt when he returned to Old Trafford for the first time after suffering a brain haemorrhage in May 2018, admitting he was uncertain how supporters would react to seeing him again.

The legendary former Manchester United manager, speaking to BBC Breakfast, recalled the moment he and his wife Cathy took their seats in the directors' box to watch United face Wolves in the Premier League, four months after undergoing emergency surgery.

"I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't," Ferguson said, reflecting on his apprehension before the match. His concerns proved unfounded, as the couple received a standing ovation from the crowd, a moment that left Cathy close to tears. "When we sat down, she said 'that's fantastic'," Ferguson remembered.

The 83-year-old Scot, who will turn 85 in three months, said he is "feeling quite good despite small injuries" as he prepares to release a new book titled 'Games of My Life'. The memoir explores 21 defining matches from his playing and managerial career, offering fresh perspective on his journey from a working-class upbringing in Glasgow to becoming one of football's most successful figures.

Ferguson has spoken candidly about the immediate aftermath of his brain surgery, revealing that he temporarily lost the ability to speak, a development he found deeply frightening. "I had lost my voice; I couldn't speak," he said. "That was a frightening moment."

He described how his grandsons visited him during this period and witnessed his struggle to communicate. A speech therapist was brought in to help with his recovery, using exercises that involved asking him to write down the names of birds, animals and rivers. Through this methodical approach, Ferguson gradually regained his voice.

During his 26 years in charge of Manchester United from 1986 to 2013, Ferguson won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns. He also secured five FA Cup victories, four League Cup triumphs and added the Club World Cup, European Super Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup and Intercontinental Cup to the Old Trafford trophy cabinet.

His new book traces his career from its earliest days, beginning with a cup final victory while playing for Govan High School in Glasgow in 1955, when he was just 13 years old. Ferguson still holds the medal from that match, describing it as his starting point. "I played for Glasgow Schools, Scotland Schools and the Scotland youth team," he said. "The starting point of my career was there and I can look back with great satisfaction."

The former manager credits his upbringing in Govan, a shipbuilding district on the River Clyde, as instrumental in shaping his character. He says his inner confidence came from his mother Elizabeth, while his drive to succeed was inherited from his father Alexander, who worked in the local shipyards. Ferguson described his father as a hard taskmaster who offered tough constructive criticism regardless of how many goals his son had scored, while his mother provided warmer encouragement.

Ferguson's playing career began as a 16-year-old striker at Queen's Park before he moved to St Johnstone, where he experienced a frustrating period that nearly led him to abandon football entirely. He was not playing first-team football and spent most of his time in the reserves, prompting him to complete paperwork and contact his aunt in Canada about emigrating.

He kept these plans hidden from his parents, but fate intervened the very next day. St Johnstone, hit by a flu outbreak that depleted their squad, travelled to Ibrox to face Rangers. The 21-year-old Ferguson was promoted to the starting lineup and scored a hat-trick, a performance that transformed his career trajectory.

That match in 1963 revived his playing prospects and set him on course to become one of football's greatest managers. Reflecting on this turning point, Ferguson offered advice to younger generations: "I would say this to young people - don't miss the biggest opportunity in your life. It's recognising it."

Ferguson's return to Old Trafford after his brain haemorrhage marked an emotional milestone in his recovery. Having retired five years before his health scare, he had already established himself as the most decorated manager in British football history. The standing ovation from United supporters demonstrated the enduring affection for a man who transformed the club into a domestic and European powerhouse.

His new book promises to offer readers unprecedented insight into the matches that defined his career, from his earliest days in Scottish youth football through to his final seasons at Manchester United. The book includes previously unseen photographs and detailed accounts of encounters that shaped his managerial philosophy.

Ferguson's story of recovery and resilience has resonated far beyond the football world, serving as an inspiration to others facing serious health challenges. His willingness to discuss the frightening moments following surgery, including the loss of his voice, has been praised for bringing attention to the realities of brain injury rehabilitation.

The Scot's legacy extends beyond trophies and titles. His influence on generations of players and managers, his tactical innovations and his ability to build winning teams have left an indelible mark on the sport. As he approaches his 85th birthday, Ferguson continues to engage with the game he loves, reflecting on a career that began on the streets of Govan and reached the summit of world football.

'Games of My Life' is scheduled for release, with extracts and interviews generating significant interest among football supporters worldwide. Ferguson's account of the 21 matches that shaped him represents a personal journey through a remarkable career, told with the honesty and directness that characterised his managerial style.

For Manchester United supporters, the image of Ferguson and his wife receiving a standing ovation at Old Trafford remains a poignant symbol of the mutual respect between the club and the man who defined its modern era. His recovery from a life-threatening condition and his continued presence at matches serves as a reminder of the lasting bond between Ferguson and the club he led to unprecedented success.