- Sir Alex Ferguson rushed to hospital after brain haemorrhage
- Former Man Utd boss has undergone emergency surgery
- ‘Procedure has gone very well but he needs intensive care’
- Sir Alex Ferguson needs to muster all the famous fighting spirit
Sir Alex Ferguson is in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery following a brain hemorrhage. The 76-year-old former Manchester United manager was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning. In a statement, a United spokesman said: “Sir Alex has undergone emergency surgery today for a brain hemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimize his recovery. His family request privacy.
His son Darren, the manager of League One side Doncaster, did not attend his side’s final home game of the season on Saturday after his father took ill.The Football Association, Premier League, Fifa, Uefa and individual clubs from Britain and around the world all tweeted their best wishes along with a host of current and former United players.David Beckham, perhaps Sir Alex’s most high-profile player, offered his support to his former manager and his wife, Lady Cathy.
He posted a picture of himself as a young player alongside Sir Alex on Instagram, adding: “Keep fighting Boss … Sending prayers and love to Cathy and the whole family.”Former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, whose wife Annemarie van Kesteren suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2009 but later recovered, said he was “devastated” to hear the news “knowing all too well about the situation ourselves”.
Arch United rivals Manchester City joined other clubs, some using the hashtag “football family”, to wish Sir Alex well.Manchester City tweeted: “Everyone at Manchester City wishes Sir Alex Ferguson a full and speedy recovery after his surgery.” Anfield HQ tweeted: “A great rival but also a great friend who supported this club during its most difficult time, it is hoped that Sir Alex will make a full recovery.” Aberdeen Football club, which Sir Alex managed before Manchester United, and where he helped to break the Celtic and Rangers dominance of Scottish football, also wished him well.The club tweeted: “The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected with Aberdeen Football Club are with our former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson and his family following tonight’s news.”
The Glaswegian-born coach is widely regarded as Britain’s most successful football manager, winning 49 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.He retired as United manager in May 2013 but has been a regular at the team’s home matches as a spectator, sitting in the stand that bears his name.He was at Old Trafford last Sunday where he presented Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal boss, with a commemorative trophy to mark his departure from the club he has managed for 22 years. Sir Alex began his managerial career at East Stirlingshire before taking charge of St Mirren, winning the First Division title. He then moved to Aberdeen, winning three Scottish league championships, four Scottish Cups and the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983. He briefly managed Scotland following the death of Jock Stein and was appointed United boss in November 1986. Born into a family of shipyard workers in the Govan area of Glasgow, Sir Alex has been a well-known Labour supporter and has been named in the past as one of the party’s biggest donors. BBC
