Sir Alex Ferguson opens up over dementia fears

Sir Alex Ferguson has had a difficult last couple of years.

The Manchester United legend’s wife, Lady Cathy Ferguson, passed away in October 2023, almost precisely three years ago.

Following the saddening news for the 13-time Premier League winner, he suffered a nasty injury to his leg in 2026, as well as being taken to hospital during a Manchester United game after falling ill.

Despite the personal setbacks, the 84-year-old has continued in good spirits and still attends as many Manchester United games as he can get to; an adored figure at Old Trafford.

In an insightful interview with The Observer, Sir Alex has opened up about other health fears he’s had in recent years.

One cause the footballing legend has regularly supported is the fight against dementia.

Ferguson reveals in the article that at a dinner in London hosted by Formula One legend Jackie Stewart for his Race Against Dementia charity, his concerns around the illness that has impacted “hundreds” of ex-footballers began to stir.

“I worried about that myself because I headed the ball a lot,” Ferguson said. “All footballers did. Dementia’s a challenge for anyone getting older. You worry about it a lot. I always say to myself: ‘I’m 84 [laughing]. If I get to 85, I’ll be all right.’”

To comfort himself during fears during his older ages, Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that he thinks of Jake LaMotta, the boxer portrayed in Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull, who fought 106 times but lived to 95.

“He [Martin Scorsese] recognises me, which is great. In Glasgow, they started a music thing [Playlist for Life, a music and dementia charity], and the idea is that you give them a box with all your favourite songs in it. They can just press a button to play them, and it brings all the memories back.”

Sir Alex still has his foot in a medical boot following his injury earlier this year, but told The Observer’s Paul Hayward, “I’m still alive, anyway,” at the end of their interview.

It’s a quirky comment that sums up the character of the Manchester United legend.

As he did on the touchlines of many football pitches, Sir Alex Ferguson still keeps fighting on in the face of adversity.