Ferguson admits being ‘terrified’ about making Old Trafford return after brain haemorrhage

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he was “terrified” before returning to Old Trafford following the brain haemorrhage that required emergency surgery in 2018.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ferguson recalled his first return to the stadium less than four months after he was admitted to hospital, saying he was unsure how Manchester United supporters would react to seeing him again.

“I was terrified. I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn’t,” Ferguson said.

The former United boss and his wife Cathy were given a standing ovation when they took their seats in the directors’ box before the club’s 1-1 draw with Wolves in September 2018.

“I didn’t know what the reaction was [going to be]. Then they make the announcement and then of course there was a loud applause,” he said.

“My wife was with me, and she was nearly crying. When we sat down, she said ‘that’s fantastic’.

“It’s one of those things. That’s the generosity of our support and recognising my time there.”

Ferguson, who is now 84, also recalled the impact of the brain haemorrhage and the frightening period after surgery when he lost his ability to speak.

“I had lost my voice; I couldn’t speak. That was a frightening moment,” he said.

“I remember my grandsons coming to see me and I had lost my voice.

“Then they brought in a therapist and she started doing things like asking me to write down the names of birds, names of animals, names of rivers. That way my voice came back.”

Ferguson underwent emergency surgery after suffering brain haemorrhage in May 2018 and was placed in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital.