How Sir Alex Ferguson Was Saved by His Late Wife Cathy
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that his late wife Cathy saved his life after he suffered a severe medical emergency at home eight years ago. Ferguson, 84, shared the details in his new book titled Games of My Life, explaining that he woke up in Salford Royal Hospital a day after collapsing in May 2018.
The legendary football manager noted that everything started fading to black after suffering with a headache overnight. He then collapsed over a shoe rack, which created enough noise to alert his wife Cathy to the sudden danger.
The Critical Moments of the Medical Emergency
Ferguson wrote that his survival depended entirely on his wife being downstairs when the accident occurred. He noted that if she had not been there to hear the shoes come clattering out of the shoe rack onto the wooden floor above, the referee in the sky might have blown the final whistle for him.
The sudden collapse led to a subdural hematoma, which is bleeding on the brain. Cathy Ferguson reacted quickly, ensuring that medical professionals could spot the condition and provide life-saving treatment at Salford Royal Hospital.
Ferguson later reflected on the statistics surrounding his condition, pointing out that between 75 and 85 per cent of people aged over 60 who experience a similar incident do not survive. He noted that this high mortality rate often happens because nobody else is with the person when it occurs, or because there is a traffic jam on the road to the hospital, or a delay in getting a scan, or a delay in getting into the operating theatre.
Recovery and Return to Old Trafford
The severe health scare left Ferguson unable to speak as he was given just a 20 per cent chance of survival. Despite the grim prognosis and the intense nature of the trauma, the former United boss remained determined to return to the stadium.
His recovery took five months of intense rehabilitation before he finally made his emotional return to the stands. This came as Manchester United drew 1-1 against Wolves in September 2018.
Since that recovery, he has remained a regular and familiar fixture at United fixtures. He was spotted watching from the stands as his former club drew 1-1 against Leeds at Elland Road last month.
Ongoing Health Concerns and Club Honors
Ferguson has continued to face health challenges in the years following his brain hemorrhage. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance before Manchester United secured a 3-2 win against Liverpool last season.
Despite these scares, he has continued to recover and make further appearances at Old Trafford. Manchester United currently sit 17th in the Premier League table after nine matches this season.
Looking ahead, the club plans to honor the historic manager with a special dinner. The event will mark 40 years since he first took over as manager back in 1986, celebrating a legacy that shaped modern British football.
