Skip to content
Bramble

Sport

Sir Alex Ferguson recalls brain haemorrhage and fearful Old Trafford return ahead of 85th birthday

In a BBC Breakfast interview, Sir Alex Ferguson described losing his voice after his 2018 brain haemorrhage and his fear on returning to Old Trafford. He was promoting his book 'Games of My Life'.

2 outlets · 0L · 1C · 1R First reported Account updated
Image: BBC News
Image: Irish Independent

1 / 2

The story, neutrally told

Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, told BBC Breakfast he was "terrified" when he returned to Old Trafford for the first time after his May 2018 brain haemorrhage. He had suffered the haemorrhage at 76 and returned four months after emergency surgery to watch United play Wolves in the Premier League. Ferguson and his wife Cathy received a standing ovation when they took their seats in the directors' box, and he said she was nearly crying and told him "that's fantastic".

He also described losing his voice in the days after surgery, calling it "a frightening moment"; he said a therapist had him write down names of birds, animals and rivers, and that this brought his voice back. Asked about his health now, Ferguson said: "I'm feeling quite good despite small injuries." The BBC says he is three months short of 85; the Irish Independent describes him as 84. The interview accompanies his new book, 'Games of My Life', which covers 21 defining matches from his playing and managerial career.

Ferguson managed United from 1986 to 2013, winning 13 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, five FA Cups and four League Cups; the BBC counts 38 trophies in 26 years, while the Irish Independent says 36 major trophies. The BBC piece also covers his Govan childhood, a 1963 hat-trick for St Johnstone against Rangers that stopped him emigrating to Canada, and his 1995 decision to sell Paul Ince to Inter Milan, after which Ince became a friend. The BBC notes the interview was conducted before the Premier League announced on Tuesday that Manchester City had been found guilty of all charges over financial-rule breaches between 2009-10 and 2017-18.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre1 outlet

Framing
A long, career-spanning interview feature, leading on the haemorrhage and the fearful Old Trafford return, then moving to his book and favourite games.
Emphasis
His upbringing, early career, the Ince sale and the young 1995 side, with the haemorrhage as the hook.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention that Cathy Ferguson has since died.
Charged language
“legendary”“fiercest, most explosive and most decorated”
For example
“one of the fiercest, most explosive and most decorated managers in football history” — BBC News

Right1 outlet

Framing
A short news write-up centred on the health story and Ferguson's fear, lifted from the BBC interview.
Emphasis
The 'terrified' quote, the loss of speech and his current health.
Leaves out or plays down
Leaves out the childhood and career stories, the Ince episode and the Manchester City context.
Charged language
“terrified”“unrivalled trophy haul”
For example
“His unrivalled trophy haul at Old Trafford included 13 Premier League titles” — Irish Independent