Sir Alex Ferguson taken to hospital after falling unwell at Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital after falling unwell at Old Trafford shortly before Manchester United’s Premier League match with Liverpool, prompting precautionary medical checks on the 84-year-old former manager.

Ferguson was at the stadium ahead of the 15:30 BST kick-off and was treated in the Stretford End tunnel after reporting that he felt unwell. Reports said he was conscious and that the move to hospital was precautionary, with expectations that he would recover at home.

The incident unfolded at a ground where Ferguson remains one of the most familiar faces to supporters. He is a regular attendee at Manchester United home and away matches, and his presence before a match against Liverpool carried particular weight given the rivalry and the stakes for United’s season.

Manchester United had framed the game as a major chance to strengthen its position in the league, saying the result could help secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League and extend its lead over fourth-placed Liverpool. The club also described Liverpool as one of its top-five Premier League rivals in the match preview.

Ferguson’s stature at Old Trafford remains tied to a managerial reign that lasted from 1986 to 2013 and delivered 38 trophies. Even after stepping down, he has continued to be a high-profile presence around the club, with his appearances still drawing attention from supporters and staff alike.

The health scare also recalled a far more serious episode from 2018, when Ferguson suffered a brain haemorrhage and underwent emergency surgery. Manchester United later said on 9 May 2018 that he no longer needed intensive care and would continue rehabilitation as an inpatient.

Ferguson’s latest hospital visit again underlined how closely the club and its wider support base still follow his wellbeing. At Old Trafford, where his legacy remains central to Manchester United’s identity, a brief medical incident was enough to ripple through the stadium and beyond.