Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly required urgent medical attention after leaving the Man Utd vs Liverpool game in an ambulance, sparking major concern at Old Trafford
15:47, 03 May 2026Updated 16:13, 03 May 2026
Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson was rushed to hospital after falling ill at Old Trafford(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson has been rushed to hospital after falling ill at Old Trafford during Manchester United vs Liverpool.
The legendary former United manager was expected to attend the club’s clash on Sunday afternoon but began feeling unwell and was subsequently taken to hospital. Reports say that the move is understood to be precautionary, with optimism that the 84-year-old will return home to recover soon. Ferguson was reportedly taken to hospital around an hour before kick-off at Old Trafford.
The 13-time Premier League winner was initially assessed by medics in the Stretford End tunnel after reporting feeling unwell, before further medical attention was provided following his complaints. Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher, Paul Merson and Alan Shearer in agreement with Man Utd vs Liverpool prediction.
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Ferguson, who retired in 2013, has faced a series of significant health challenges in recent years. In May 2018, he underwent life-saving surgery after the sudden brain haemorrhage, with doctors at the time reportedly giving him a 20 percent chance of survival. Ferguson made his return to Old Trafford in September of that year, attending the 1-1 draw with Wolves after his recovery.
Ferguson ultimately defied the odds, making a full recovery through what was widely described as remarkable resilience. "There were five brain haemorrhages that day," Ferguson, who was 79 at the time, said in his 2021 'Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In' film. "Three died. Two survived. You know you are lucky."
There is nothing to suggest that this incident is related to that particular issue. Ferguson also endured personal tragedy in 2023 with the passing of his wife, Cathy aged 84. The pair were married for 57 years. His brother Martin also suffers with dementia.
Reflecting on Lady Cathy’s passing, Sir Alex added: “After my wife passed, I was stuck in the house a lot. I moved house, into the country, next door to my son. But it’s not good enough just to sit watching TV, so I decided to travel. I went to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Bahrain. Occupy yourself. Dealing with the dementia group has been good for me. It’s something that I enjoy.”
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson fell il around an hour before kick-off(Image: Getty Images)
Despite stepping away from his official ambassadorial duties, United have remained a constant presence in Ferguson’s life. In 2024, minority owner Jim Ratcliffe ended Ferguson’s paid ambassadorial role as part of widespread cost-cutting measures that saw hundreds of staff positions removed.
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However, the decision has not kept Ferguson away from the club, with the former manager still regularly seen in the directors’ box at Old Trafford.
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"I sat down with Alex, just the two of us in the room. And I said, 'Look, the club isn't where you may think it is. It is spending more than it's earning and we're going to finish up in some difficulties. Honestly, we can't really afford to continue to pay you £2m a year," Sir Jim Ratcliffe explained a year ago.
"I said, 'I'm going to leave it with you, let you have a think about it.' It was very grown up. Maybe a little bit grumpy at the beginning, but he got it. He came back three days later, after talking to his son and said, 'Fine, I'm going to step away from it. My decision.' 'I think it reflects really well on Alex because he put the club before himself".