![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31124343.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Sir-Alex-Ferguson-Statue-Unveiling.jpg\")
![](\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/incoming\/article31124354.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Sir-Alex-Ferguson-Statue-Unveiling-Pittodrie.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThere was a possibility Sir Alex Ferguson may not have ever been associated with Manchester United – and his wife Cathy had a part to play.<\/p>\n
While Ferguson obviously has a long-lasting legacy at the club after 26 years in charge where he became one of the greatest managers of all time, there was a chance the Scotsman's fate would never have guided him to Manchester. His wife of 57 years, Lady Cathy, who sadly passed away at the age of 84, shared three children and 12 grandchildren with the Red Devils legend.<\/p>\n
The pair met in 1964 and married just two years later before they had all three of their children by 1972. To the surprise of many, Cathy played a key role in Ferguson's career prior to becoming Man United boss as there were reportedly rumours that Tottenham Hotspur were interested in the Scotsman, who managed Aberdeen for eight years before joining the Red Devils.<\/p>\n
READ MORE:<\/b>Sir Alex Ferguson's wife Cathy dies as Man Utd legend's family confirm death<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Man Utd chief who worked with Sir Alex Ferguson joins Todd Boehly at Chelsea<\/b><\/p>\n
A book about the North London club, titled Still Dreaming, previously claimed: "The directors, to a man, were enthusiastic endorsers of the choice (Ferguson). All aspects of the contract agreed. Unfortunately, Mrs Ferguson was not keen on a move to London and that was that."<\/p>\n
Several generations of United fans have Cathy to thank as they wouldn't have achieved the greatest period of success the club has ever had without Ferguson and his wife by his side. It was due to the death of her twin sister, Bridget, that Ferguson decided to call time on his managerial career in 2013 as he said: "When I told her this time I was going to retire she had no objection whatsoever. I knew she wanted me to do it."<\/p>\n
Would Sir Alex Ferguson have been a success at Spurs? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Five years after retiring, Ferguson suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage and while he made a full recovery, he had prepared goodbye letters for his family on the offset that he would not survive. "He\u2019d written to my mum, to me, my brothers and all his grandchildren. They were, basically, goodbye letters," son Jason told The Guardian.<\/p>\n
Upon his retirement where he won the Premier League title in his final season, the iconic manager paid tribute to his wife for being beside him throughout their time together. "I think a lot of the time, for 47 years, she\u2019s been the leader of the family, looked after our three sons and sacrificed herself for me," he said in his farewell speech.<\/p>\n