Sir Alex Ferguson says he was terrified after 2018 brain haemorrhage

The Manchester United legend told BBC Breakfast he was “terrified” during his 2018 brain haemorrhage and praised his wife’s support.

By Felo News Desk · Published Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:23:25 GMT

Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, told BBC Breakfast that he was "terrified" when he suffered a brain haemorrhage in May 2018.

What happened

Ferguson experienced a brain haemorrhage in May 2018, underwent emergency surgery and, four months later, returned to Old Trafford to watch United play Wolves. He and his wife Cathy were given a standing ovation in the directors' box before kick‑off.

What the reports add

The Independent noted Ferguson called the post‑surgery period "frightening" and said he could not claim to have felt comfortable during his recovery.
The BBC report included his uncertainty about how supporters would receive him and recorded his observation that his wife was "nearly crying" when they were seated.
Both outlets reported that the surgery left him temporarily unable to speak, describing a "frightening moment" when he lost his voice and had to use a therapist who asked him to write down names of birds, animals and rivers to regain speech.
Ferguson said his appearance on BBC Breakfast was part of promoting his new book, Games of My Life, which examines 21 defining matches from his playing and managerial career.

What was said

"I was terrified," Ferguson told BBC Breakfast.

"I wish I could say I was comfortable. I wasn't," he added, as reported by both the Independent and the BBC.

"My wife was with me, and she was nearly crying. When we sat down, she said 'that's fantastic'."

"I had lost my voice; I couldn't speak. That was a frightening moment. 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."

How it came about

Ferguson retired in 2013 after 26 years in charge, winning 38 trophies. His health crisis in 2018 was the first major medical issue he publicly discussed. Earlier Felo coverage of Ferguson’s influence on the Premier League, such as the September 14 article linking his managerial style to current debates, provides context for his lasting legacy.

Key facts

Sir Alex Ferguson suffered a brain haemorrhage in May 2018 and underwent emergency surgery. (bbc.co.uk)
Four months after surgery he returned to Old Trafford to watch United play Wolves. (bbc.co.uk)
Ferguson said he was "terrified" and could not say he was comfortable during his recovery. (independent.co.uk)