We’ll lift the FA Cup in honour of stricken Fergie, pledge Man Utd
MANCHESTER United’s stars yesterday vowed to win the FA Cup in honour of stricken former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
United face Chelsea in the showpiece final on May 19 – and are determined to win the cup as a tribute to the legendary boss, who is fighting for his life after a brain haemorrhage.
Sir Alex, 76, is in an induced coma after undergoing emergency brain surgery on Saturday.
The club’s Spanish star Juan Mata led the rallying cry and told how he wanted the Old Trafford giants to dedicate a trophy victory to Sir Alex.
Former Chelsea star Mata, 30, said: “This has had a huge impact on Manchester United, as you can imagine.
Unique
“All of us are united right now, wishing Sir Alex a speedy recovery. He has been a unique and fundamental figure in the football world over the past few decades.
“I know well his incomparable legacy on this club, that winning mentality and fighting gene that we must honour in the last three games of the season, especially in the FA Cup final.
“To achieve that, we are going to work hard while we eagerly await good news about Sir Alex’s recovery.”
Fellow United star Phil Jones told how Sir Alex was “like a father” to him and said he was “absolutely devastated”.
Jones, brought to the club by Sir Alex in 2011, said: “He is such a legend in my eyes. He is the one who brought me to the club and gave me that opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“He’s taken me under his wing like a father. It’s sad, but I know his character.
“I know he has that fight in him. Hopefully, he’ll recover well.”
United legend Ryan Giggs, 44, echoed the players’ sentiments as he spoke of his “huge shock” and said he was praying for Sir Alex. Giggs said: “Now is the time to pray and hope he can make a full recovery. He has been the biggest influence in my career, both on and off the pitch. “It was a huge shock as the news filtered in but I gather the operation has been a success.” Sir Alex, who won 38 trophies during his time at Old Trafford, was struck down on Friday. He is believed to have suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage, which kills about one in five sufferers instantly. A third are left so disabled that they need permanent 24-hour care. However, between a third and half of sufferers make a full recovery, returning to a normal quality of life in just a few months. Yesterday, Sir Alex’s wife Cathy, 69, remained at his bedside at Salford Royal Hospital, Greater Manchester. He married Cathy in 1966 and they have three sons – Mark, Jason and Darren, who is Doncaster Rovers manager.