I 100 per cent fear getting dementia but have ways to try to fight it off, admits Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson, 82

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has revealed that he is “100 per cent” worried about getting dementia.

The former Manchester United boss, 82, also lifted the lid on how he misses life in the Old Trafford dugout in a rare extended interview.

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Sir Alex Ferguson revealed how he sharpens his mind amid fears he’ll lose his memory[/caption]

The legendary manager began working with a charity before Bobby Charlton succumbed to dementia last year

England heroes Nobby Stiles, Sir Bobby Charlton and his brother Jack Charlton were all diagnosed before their deaths.

In an interview about his work with a dementia charity, Fergie was asked if the disease frightens him.

He told BBC Breakfast: “I’m 82, obviously I worry about it. Generally my memory is quite good, pray the lord and touch wood it will stay that way.

“But I worry about it, 100 per cent. I would be lying if I said anything different.

“I read a lot, I do quizzes a lot and I think that helps.

“You have those YouTube quizzes, 100 questions, and I think if I don’t get to 70 per cent I’m struggling.”

Several other footballers face an ongoing battle with dementia including ex-Middlesbrough striker Alan Peacock, 86.

Sir Alex suffered a brain haemorrhage back in 2018, after which he underwent successful emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital.

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His late wife Lady Cathy, who he described as his “bedrock”, died aged 84 last October following a serious illness.

United hero Denis Law suffers from Alzheimer’s at the age of 84, having admitted a few years back that the condition had caused him anger, frustration, confusion and distress.

Fergie retired from management in 2013 following a 27-year spell with United.

The fierce Scotsman until this day still also regularly attends United games both home and away.

On missing the glory days, Fergie added: “I have been retired 11 years now so you find a way of adjusting. Yeah, I miss it sometimes.

“I think the first year after retirement, I went to the European final and I said to Cathy ‘this is what I miss’ – big games, the European games.

“So then I went to most of the European finals because I find something I can relate to, something I would liked to have done every day.

“Because these are the big events that United should always be involved in.”

He was speaking as part of National Playlist Day, which is used to celebrate the power of personalised music playlist for those living with dementia.

One of the songs on Sir Alex’s playlist is My Own True Love by Margaret Whiting, the theme from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.

It reminds him of his beloved wife, Cathy, who he met in 1964 while working at a typewriter factory. 

He took United into four Champions League finals after claiming the European Cup Winners Cup with Aberdeen in 1983 – a feat that first drew him to Old Trafford chiefs.

The legendary boss won 13 Prem titles, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues during his Red Devils reign.