The Ferguson family issued a statement today which read: “We are deeply saddened to confirm the passing yesterday [Thursday] of Lady Cathy Ferguson, survived by her husband, three sons, two sisters, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Lady Cathy - formerly Holding - met Alex in 1964 and they were married in 1966 before giving birth to son Mark two years later, followed by twins, Darren and Jason, in 1972. She was incredibly supportive of her husband throughout his career at Old Trafford before he stepped down from his role and retired from football in 2013 to spend more time with her.

In fact, were it not for Cathy's intervention, Ferguson might well have ended up at one of United's rivals in north London when he was approached by Tottenham. "The directors, to a man, were enthusiastic endorsers of the choice (Ferguson). All aspects of the contract agreed," a book about Spurs, titled Still Dreaming, previously claimed.

Ferguson, 81, has not been present at the last of United's home matches. He revealed previously that he would have continued in the United hot-seat beyond his retirement at the end of the 2012/13 season were it not for the death of Cathy's twin sister and best friend Bridget.

"I definitely would have carried on,' Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph . "I saw she [Cathy] was watching television one night, and she looked up at the ceiling. I knew she was isolated. Her and Bridget were twins, you know?"

Ferguson explained how Cathy had persuaded him not to call time on his career when he announced his retirement many years earlier in 2002, reasoning: "One, your health is good. Two, I'm not having you in the house. And three, you're too young anyway