Sir Alex Ferguson smiles for fan photo in first public appearance since May health scare

Sir Alex Ferguson made his first public appearance since his May health scare when he was photographed smiling with a fan at a restaurant in Wilmslow, Manchester, weeks after being taken to hospital by ambulance ahead of Manchester United’s home fixture against Liverpool on 3 May.

The 84-year-old was collected by ambulance approximately an hour before kick-off, though the situation was not classified as an emergency, and he was subsequently discharged to recover at home.

The photograph was shared on Instagram by restaurant worker Vimal Devassy, who described the encounter as a deeply personal moment rooted in his admiration for Ferguson’s relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. “Not every photo tells a story — some capture a feeling,” Devassy wrote. “I was shaking because I was standing beside a man who helped shape the journey of my idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. A moment I’ll never forget. Thank you, Sir Alex.”

Speaking separately, Devassy recalled the exchange simply: “I met him at our restaurant, and before he left, I asked if he would mind taking a photo with me. He happily agreed, which I really appreciated. It was a simple but special moment that I’ll always remember.”

League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan confirmed that Ferguson is “on the mend” after the Scot was unable to attend the organisation’s annual awards ceremony. Ferguson sent a letter to Manager of the Year recipient Frank Lampard in his absence, while England head coach Thomas Tuchel stepped in to present the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy.

“It is, of course, not the same without Sir Alex himself,” Tuchel said at the ceremony. “We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery so that he is hopefully with us next year on stage again.”

Ferguson is widely considered United’s greatest manager, having won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and numerous domestic honours across a 26-year tenure at Old Trafford before retiring in 2013.