SIR ALEX IS OUT OF INTENSIVE CARE
POSITIVE NEWS OF REDS LEGEND AFTER BRAIN OP
SIR Alex Ferguson no longer needs intensive care after emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage.
The welcome update on the former Manchester United manager’s condition was announced last night by the club.
United said Sir Alex, 76, would continue his recovery as an inpatient - and revealed his family have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the amount of support and good wishes they have received from across the globe.
Sir Alex, the most successful manager in the history of British football, was rushed into hospital on Saturday morning after suffering a brain haemorrhage and later underwent emergency surgery. In a statement last night, United confirmed he was making progress.
The club said: “Sir Alex no longer needs intensive care and will continue rehabilitation as an inpatient.
“His family have been overwhelmed by the level of support and good wishes but continue to request privacy as this will be vital during this next stage of recovery.”
During his 26-and-a-half years in charge of United, Sir Alex guided the Red Devils to a glittering haul of 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues, the European Cup Winners’ Cup, the Intercontinental Cup and the Club World Cup. He was knighted in 1999 and retired from managing at the club five years ago this week. Messages of support for the Scot poured in from around the world after the news of his illness was revealed at the weekend. In a statement issued on Saturday, the club said the surgery had gone ‘very well’ but stressed Sir Alex needed ‘a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery.’ He was initially taken from his home in Cheshire to Macclesfield District General Hospital then transferred to Salford Royal Hospital,
His family have been overwhelmed by the level of support and good wishes Manchester United statement
where his family remain at his side.
The update last night is the first to be issued officially by the club since then.
The football world - fans, clubs, players, managers and governing bodies - united to send Sir Alex, his family and the club messages of support and good wishes in the aftermath.
And, last night, football supporters flocked to welcome the positive development.
Writing on Facebook, Lisa Emerton wrote: “Thank goodness. Hope he gets better soon. We wish him well. Thoughts and prayers are with his family - sending hugs to you all x.”
Kerry Ann Carrick added: “Great news! Get well Sir Alex!”
United manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, spoke about Sir Alex at a press conference yesterday - and said the club were ‘very, very positive.’
He said: “His family asked for privacy and that is what I am going to respect. But [as a club] we are positive. We are very, very positive.”
Club captain Michael Carrick said on Twitter: “Amazing to hear such positive news.”
Wales manager and former United winger Ryan Giggs was brought into the Old Trafford first team by Ferguson as a talented 17-year-old in 1991. He developed into a key player in a squad which would go on to complete a famous treble when lifting the Champions League trophy in 1999, before later making the move into coaching which saw him take temporary charge at United in April 2014 after David Moyes’ departure.
Giggs, who eventually left Old Trafford in July 2016, echoed the sentiments of former players under Ferguson, whom he felt now brings football together in support for his recovery.
“You’ve seen the response, not just from within football but from people all around the world. It shows how much he means to people. I’m not surprised,” Giggs, speaking at the launch of the FAW and McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards.
United added in a statement: “Manchester United would like to thank its friends in the wider football world for the countless messages of support that have been conveyed following the news that Sir Alex Ferguson underwent emergency surgery on Saturday evening.
“As well as being uppermost in the thoughts of our own players, past and present, Sir Alex has been the subject of many warm and touching comments from other clubs, governing bodies and individuals in the beautiful game.”