Sir Alex Ferguson Wants to Be at Manchester United’s New Stadium Opening, ‘In Body or Spirit’

Sir Alex Ferguson is unsure whether he will be physically present when Manchester United officially opens its new stadium. But the legendary former manager is certain of one thing: even if he cannot be there in person, he will be present “in spirit.”

At 84, Ferguson reflects on life, death and Manchester United’s ambitious new stadium project in his latest book, Games of My Life, which was published on October 8.

Manchester United unveiled plans in 2025 for a new 100,000-seat stadium at an estimated cost of around Tk 10,000 crore. The project is expected to take approximately five to six years to complete.

The timeline prompted Ferguson to think about whether he would live to see the stadium officially opened. In his book, he writes about having “many things to do” and wanting to spend time with many people.

He also reflects on death, saying he does not spend his time worrying about what the Creator has planned for him. Ferguson says he is not afraid of death and would rather focus on getting as much as possible out of life.

The new stadium brought the thought of mortality closer to him. When Manchester United announced plans to build a spectacular new ground to replace Old Trafford, Ferguson wondered whether he would still be there when the opening ceremony took place.

He also expressed hope that construction would begin quickly. If the project takes five years, he noted, he could be approaching the age of 90 by the time the stadium is completed.

Yet Ferguson remains confident that he will somehow be part of the historic occasion.

“I’ll be there somehow—whether in body or in spirit,” he wrote.

Ferguson’s connection with Manchester United stretches across several decades. He managed the club from 1986 until 2013, winning 38 trophies, including 13 English Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies and a FIFA Club World Cup.

While Old Trafford remains inseparable from Ferguson’s extraordinary legacy, Manchester United’s new stadium could become another chapter in that story. Whether he attends the opening ceremony in person or not, his words make it clear that his bond with the club will remain timeless.