Lady Cathy Ferguson, the wife of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, has died.

The Ferguson family confirmed the news in a statement released on Friday afternoon.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild,” the statement read.

“The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Lady Cathy passed away on Thursday morning at the couple’s home in Cheshire.

Sir Alex, 81, first met Lady Cathy in 1964 when the pair were both working in a typewriter factory.

They married two years later in 1966.

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When he announced his retirement in 2013, Sir Alex said: “My wife Cathy has been the key figure throughout my career, providing a bedrock of both stability and encouragement. Words are not enough to express what this has meant to me.”

In 2002, Lady Cathy was instrumental in convincing him to reverse his decision to retire, going on to manage the club for a further 11 years before eventually calling time after the death of his wife’s sister.

Interviewed in a documentary called Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In released in 2021, Cathy revealed Sir Alex had taken her to the cinema on their first date.

“He bought me a box of liquorice allsorts at the movies, of which he ate all of them, and a local paper when we came out. That was my romantic day.

“We got married in Glasgow registry office in 1966 and that was the start. I went to my work and he went to his football.”

Manchester United released a statement which read: “Everyone at Manchester United sends our heartfelt condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family on the passing of Lady Cathy.

“Lady Cathy was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a tower of strength for Sir Alex throughout his career.”

Flags at Old Trafford have been lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to Lady Cathy, and the Red Devils will wear black armbands when they play at the weekend.

Manchester City issued a reply to United’s post on X concerning Cathy’s death which read: “Everyone at Manchester City sends their condolences to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family at this very difficult time.”

Aberdeen FC, who Sir Alex managed from 1978 to 1986 also sent their “deepest condolences” to the Ferguson family.

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