Fergie’s return to Old Trafford nerve-racking
SIR ALEX FERGUSON cut a ferocious figure at Manchester United over three decades, intimidating opponents and officials with his fierce will to win.
But the legendary former United boss revealed he was nervous at returning to Old Trafford for the first time after his life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018.
The revelation is made in a new film, Never Give In, which charts Ferguson’s life and career.
Directed by his son Jason, it shows a vulnerable side to the Scottish hardman.
“The club were going to make a presentation to the fans that I was back,” said Ferguson, who would make an emotional return on to the pitch in front of 75,000 fans after his brain surgery.
“I’m a bit nervous,” the former United boss, 79, admitted. “Not nervous but, you know, sort of, how would you put it? Tense, I don’t know, maybe. A third of my life was spent at United but
I have a slight concern about going to watch them again for the first time.”
Ferguson talked candidly about his fear of dying and that he experienced recurring dreams during his recovery.
“When I collapsed that Saturday morning I had no idea, from that moment on, what happened.
“People say that I was sitting up talking in Macclesfield Hospital, before I went to Salford Royal Hospital, but I don’t remember a thing.
“What you realise is what happens when you die. People suffer cancer and there’s a long period before they do.
“But when it happens like that [what happened to Ferguson], they say it’s the best way to go.
“So I’m not sure, when the moment comes and you do die, whether it’s the best way to go.
“The moments when you’re on your own, there’s that fear and that loneliness that creeps into your mind.
“You don’t want to die.And that’s where I was at – I’m not going to die, I don’t want to die. These things did flash through my mind quite a lot.”