Alex Ferguson reveals his fears of dementia

Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager of Manchester United, has expressed his concerns about the possibility of developing dementia, noting that the frequent heading of the ball throughout his playing career makes him think about the likelihood of suffering from the disease as he ages.

Sir Alex Ferguson, aged 84, said in an interview with The Observer: "I am worried about that too, because I headed the ball a lot. All footballers used to do that."

The legendary coach added: "Dementia is a challenge for anyone getting older. You worry about it a lot. I always tell myself: I am 84, and if I reach 85, I will be fine."

Ferguson's concerns come as his brother Martin is suffering from illness, as he spoke about him saying: "He recognizes me, and that's great." Ferguson also recalled former boxer Jake LaMotta, who lived until the age of 95, as a source of inspiration for him.

Ferguson spent 17 years as a professional player in Scotland during the 1950s and 1960s, a period when much heavier leather balls were used compared to modern balls, amid studies linking heading the ball to increased risks of dementia in later life.