Sir Alex Ferguson admits terror before emotional 2018 Old Trafford comeback

I was terrified, says Sir Alex Ferguson, who admitted he was far from comfortable ahead of his first appearance at Old Trafford following his life-threatening brain haemorrhage in May 2018. The legendary Manchester United manager, who spent 26 years winning 38 trophies, feared how supporters would react after being sidelined by emergency surgery. He watched the team play to a 1-1 draw against Wolves just months after being in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital. The return provided a moment of relief as he and his wife, Cathy, received a standing ovation when they took their seats in the directors’ box. His wife, who guided him through his recovery, was nearly moved to tears by the reception from the Old Trafford crowd. The former manager revealed the ordeal left him fighting to regain his voice, a frightening symptom that hampered his ability to communicate with his own grandsons in the days following his surgery. He eventually regained his speech through therapy, which included tasks like writing down names of animals and rivers. Now 84 years old, Ferguson remains a regular fixture at Old Trafford, noting that he is feeling quite good despite some small injuries. His reflection on his career and the life-changing medical scare comes as he prepares for the release of his new book, 'Games of My Life,' which documents 21 matches that defined his journey from Glasgow to the pinnacle of European football.