He's my brother

AFTER transforming football flops Manchester United into a global phenomenon, Sir Alex Ferguson knows a thing or two about tough challenges.

- BY PHIL CARDY

But the 83-year-old has revealed he is now dealing with one of his hardest yet helping his brother Martin, 82, tackle dementia.

Fergie also opened up about struggling to leave the house after his wife, Cathy, died two years ago.

The 1999 treble-winning boss, who has previously admitted his own fears about dementia, said of the condition: "It's not easy.

"I have a situation myself, with my brother. I have to be in touch with him a lot. He recognises me but the memory's not great.

"But he's not bad. He's not getting any worse, let's put it that way, which is very encouraging."

Martin was an inside forward as a player. He went on to manage before becoming United's chief European scout, instrumental in signing Reds stars such as Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Sir Alex told how he tries to call his brother every day. He said in an interview with the BBC yesterday: "I'm only a year ahead of him and I've only one brother, so he is important to me. It's at the back of my mind all the time. You think, 'I wonder if he's in just now, or if I should give him a phone call. I try to do that each day.