Alex Ferguson Lost His Voice After Brain Surgery

Ferguson had already retired five years before the illness. During 26 years at the club, he won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles. The Daily Mail reported that doctors gave him only a 20 per cent chance of survival. Four months after the operation, in September 2018, he went back to Old Trafford, United's stadium, to watch a match. He admitted that he felt "terrified" and was not sure how fans would react. In fact, the crowd stood and applauded him and his wife, Cathy, who was close to tears. Cathy died in 2023.

Ferguson, who turns 85 in three months, says he feels "quite good" and still attends United games regularly. He spoke about his health while promoting his new book, Games of My Life, which describes 21 important matches from his career. In it, he explains that as a young player he almost left football for a new life in Canada. Instead, he scored a hat-trick, three goals in one game, in 1963, and his career changed direction. He advised young people never to miss the biggest opportunity of their lives.