Legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is recovering in intensive care after undergoing emergency surgery following a brain haemorrhage.
The 76-year-old former Manchester United manager was rushed to hospital yesterday after a fall at his home in Cheshire.
Manchester United said in a statement that the ‘procedure has gone very well’ with the family of the Scotsman asking for privacy as he recovers from the subarachnoid brain haemorrhage.
The football world was quick to offer well wishes to the iconic manager, with heartfelt messages from players, fellow managers and rivals.
The footballing world paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, including former Manchester United star and current player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured)
The 76-year-old was quickly taken to Macclesfield district hospital after the fall before being transferred, with a police escort, to be treated at the Salford Royal.
In the statement, Manchester United said: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone surgery today for a brain haemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to aid his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter. Everyone at Manchester United sends our very best wishes.
‘We will keep Sir Alex and his loved ones in our thoughts during this time, and we are united in our wish to see him make a comfortable, speedy recovery.’
His family are said to be very pleased with how the operation went, and are hopeful the he can make a full recovery.
In an update, Manchester United tweeted that the procedure went ‘very well’ and their former manager is now recovering in intensive care
Sir Alex Ferguson has had surgery for a brain haemorrhage after being rushed to hospital on Saturday morning following a fall at home
The 76-year-old was seen at Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford, just last weekend to present Arsene Wenger with a gift before his Arsenal departure
The Scotsman is the most successful manager in the history of British football, with 38 trophies to his name, including the 1999 Champions League (pictured)
Ferguson guided Manchester United from 1986-2013 after arriving relatively unknown from Aberdeen to take charge
Under his guidance United won 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and five FA Cup trophies
Ferguson attended the Champions League quarter-final tie between Roma and Barcelona with his wife Cathy in early April
Football fans from across the globe united in a show of support for Sir Alex Ferguson following the news.
One United fan, MUnitedGirl, wrote on Twitter: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson is respected not just by United but by almost all in the football world and beyond.
‘He is the ultimate gentleman and person. He has influenced so many lives, myself included.
‘With the fighting spirit this man has, he can overcome anything! I love you Boss’.
Others also pointed to Sir Alex’s infamous ability to put up a good fight saying he would pull through.
Twitter user TheRainbowStand said: ‘Nobody greater at comebacks/recovering. Here’s hoping and praying you make a full recovery/comeback from this one too.
‘Get well soon Sir Alex Ferguson.
‘There’s more to football than rivalry.’
And Liverpool supporter Corballyred showed that football fans could indeed put rivalries aside, tweeting: ‘I know Utd are our main rivals but wishing Alex Ferguson a speedy recovery, as much as I hated him for what he achieved at Utd I’ve nothing but respect for his qualities as a manager, one of the games best managers ever.’
One social media user, neilmullen07, shared a personal story of meeting the fiery Scot at the age of 10.
‘When i was 10 dad took us to Old Trafford to pick up tickets,’ he wrote. ‘Met Alex Ferguson, our new boss at the time, at K stand by his Jaguar. He spent 25 minutes talking to dad as i stood with my mouth wide open. & the next 25 years giving me the best days of my life. Get well soon gaffer’.
To another, Sir Alex is ‘like an extended part of the family, like another grandfather even’.
dhruv123tupac wrote: ‘He’s brought me some of the happiest moments of my life.
Summing it all up, another fan wrote: ‘Just woke up and checking for updates on Sir Alex Ferguson’s condition.
‘No updates, just an endless list of tweets from the 4 corners of the world showing support and love.
‘Makes you realize how one man can inspire millions across the globe.
‘He’ll pull through.’
As in most cases with a subarachnoid haemorrhage the severity depends upon how quickly the illness was picked up and identified, with doctors often monitoring the situation following surgery to see the manner in which the patient responds.
Manchester United players were made aware of Ferguson’s condition before the information was made public and the statement issued by the club.
His son, Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson, had to miss out on his side’s final fixture of the League One campaign on Saturday due to a ‘severe family issue.’
Ferguson was present at Old Trafford last weekend as his former club took on Arsenal in what was Arsene Wenger’s final match against his old foe.
Ferguson took to the pitch to present Wenger with a commemorative trophy as a gift from the club, along with current boss Jose Mourinho.
Messages of well wishing soon began pouring in from the football world and wider afield, as Ferguson’s condition became public knowledge.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to the Mail on Sunday, said: ‘I am concerned and I’m thinking about him and his family. I trust his strength and his strong character will get him well very quickly.’
A series of the current Manchester United players instantly sent their best wishes to the former boss, while Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany urged for the Scotsman to pull through, writing: ‘Hang in there Sir Alex, thoughts are with the family and close ones.’
Club captain Michael Carrick echoed the sentiments with his own personal message: ‘Absolutely devastated to hear about Sir Alex being unwell in hospital. All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong boss.’
Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who worked closely with Fergie and was part of the backbone of his Manchester United side, wrote online: ‘Devastated to hear about Sir Alex. Stay strong boss, thoughts are with you.’
The Scotsman is best known for the dynasty of success he created at Manchester United over the course of 27 trophy-laden years, the likes of which surpassed anything seen before in the English game.
Moulding a succession of outstanding teams, United won the Champions League twice, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup during his time there between 1986 and 2013.
Prior to that, Ferguson elevated unglamorous Aberdeen to challenge the established order of the Old Firm in his homeland. They won three Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983.
Following his stepping down from the United helm, which ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in May 2013, Ferguson was soon immortalised at Old Trafford by having a stand named in his honour, while a statue of the Scotsman was soon unveiled outside the ground.
An Old Trafford stand was soon named after the iconic boss, truly immortalising him in the history of the club
A statue of Scotsman was then erected outside the ground on the exterior of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand
Ferguson won 38 trophies in 26 years in charge of Manchester United and quickly became a living club legend
The veteran boss was responsible for moulding Cristiano Ronaldo into the formidable force he is today
Ferguson also oversaw the rise of United legend David Beckham, with the duo enjoying consistent success at Old Trafford
After stepping down Ferguson has been an ever presence in the years that followed, working as part of the club hierarchy
Darren Ferguson had to miss out on his side’s final fixture of the season on Saturday due to a ‘severe family issue.’
Ferguson followed his father’s lead and entered football management after his playing days came to an end