SIR Alex Ferguson’s brother Martin has spoken publicly for the first time about the serious health scare the legendary Manchester United manager suffered last year and expressed his delight at the remarkable recovery the Scot has made.
Sir Alex suffered a brain haemorrhage at his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, back in May and was rushed to Salford Royal Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery after being placed into a medically induced coma.
The Glaswegian, who turned 77 last month, has responded positively to treatment and made an emotional return to Old Trafford for a Premier League game against Wolves, where he received a standing ovation from the crowd, in September.
He has been a regular attender at Manchester United matches since and interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed at the end of December he has even been back at first team training at Carrington offering encouragement to the coaching staff.
United have won all six of their games since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as manager last month on a temporary basis until the end of the 2018/19 campaign.
Ferguson’s younger brother Martin, who worked as the chief scout at the English giants during his elder sibling’s trophy-laden 26 year reign, was appointed chairman at Ladbrokes League One club Airdrieonians last month.
Speaking exclusively to Herald Sport ahead of Airdrie’s William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round match against Celtic at Parkhead tomorrow evening, he admitted the Ferguson family had been through a harrowing ordeal.
“It was a bad one,” he said. “It was a very, very difficult one that. Hopefully we never have to go through that again.”
Ferguson added: “It is great he is back in his seat again and back watching games. It’s his life isn’t it? It’s been his life. Both our lives. But especially him with the success he’s had.
“As long as he doesn’t rush things. You know Alec. Alec wants to be out playing again. That is his nature. Alec has got to be up and at it and busy.
“He has worked hard at everything he has been in. He was a hard worker as a player and a manager and he is the same now he is a director. He has been missed at Old Trafford. It is like Jock Stein at Celtic and Matt Busby at United before, he needs to be there, he is a figurehead.”
A full interview with Martin Ferguson will appear in the print edition of The Herald tomorrow.
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