Raf in tears over news of Sir Alex’s emergency operation

FORMER United defender Rafael da Silva admits he broke down in tears when he discovered Sir Alex Ferguson had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

United revealed last night that Ferguson, 76, is no longer in intensive care at Salford Royal Hospital after he was taken unwell at his Cheshire home on Saturday morning.

The club has thanked the wider football world for their messages of goodwill to Ferguson and United forward Juan Mata has already said Ferguson’s situation will motivate the players to regain the FA Cup on Saturday week.

Lyon full-back Da Silva, who left United in 2015, wrote on his Instagram page: ‘Just in shock. He will come back stronger from that, I’m sure” and then spoke at length to the French club’s website.

“I was in shock when I heard the news,” said Da Silva. “He is strong, I am sure he will come back [and] come out strong, I’m sure about that.

“He helped everyone, he’s a guy with heart and I know everyone who believes in God is praying for him now. God knows everything so I hope he can help him. I just have good memories of him, he was like a second dad and I was crying when I heard the news. He’s a young guy, 76, I saw him two years ago and he was fine, he talked normally and when these things happen it’s never good.

“Like I said before, I am sure he will come back.”

Da Silva, 27, agreed a deal to join United in 2007 with his twin Fabio and made his debut at the start of the 2008-09 season. He won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Club World Cup with United and wore a ‘Thank you’ T-shirt with a picture of Ferguson embracing him after the Scot’s final home game in charge of United.