MAN UNITED LEGEND FERGIE FIGHTS FOR LIFE
Sir Alex has emergency surgery after brain haemorrhage
SOCCER legend Sir Alex Ferguson was last night fighting for life after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
The former Man United manager, 76, was surrounded by his family at Salford’s Royal Hospital.
A United spokesman said: “Sir Alex has undergone emergency surgery. The procedure has gone well.”
THE world of soccer was praying for Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson last night as he battled for his life.
The 76-year-old former manager suffered a brain haemorrhage and had surgery yesterday afternoon.
He was last night being cared for at Salford’s Royal Hospital, where his worried family gathered earlier.
Messages of support poured in for the father of three.
United’s club captain Michael Carrick said: “Absolutely devastated to hear about Sir Alex... all my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong, Boss.”
Team-mate Jesse Lingard added: “Thoughts and prayers Sir Alex.”
And Match of the Day host Gary Lineker tweeted: “Very sorry to hear the news that Sir Alex Ferguson is seriously ill in hospital. Wish him all the very best.”
A statement from Man United said: “Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone emergency surgery today for a brain haemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter.”
Sir Alex was rushed to the neurological unit at Salford from his local hospital in Macclesfield, where he was taken on Friday morning.
Reports said Sir Alex was “blue lighted” to hospital at 9am after falling ill at his €2million mansion in Wilmslow, Cheshire. He was said to have complained of feeling unwell since Thursday.
His son Darren, 46 – manager of League One Doncaster Rovers – missed his final game of the season yesterday to be with his dad.
Doncaster issued a statement saying: “Rovers manager Darren Ferguson will not be at Saturday’s game due to family reasons.
“Darren asks for privacy, and will provide an update through the club during the week.”
Sir Alex was in fine spirits at Old Trafford only a week ago when he appeared at pitchside before United’s game with Arsenal.
He and United manager Jose Mourinho presented a trophy to Arsene Wenger – the departing Arsenal manager and one of Sir Alex’s greatest foes down the years. Sir Alex has previously received treatment for what United
described as a “minor heart irregularity”. He underwent the routine procedure in December 2003, with the club saying at the time that it had revealed “no underlying heart problem”.
Then in March 2004 Sir Alex had a heart pacemaker fitted – describing it as a “routine, straightforward procedure”.
He was allowed to return to training the following day. Sir Alex said at the time: “Everything is OK, I feel fine. It was an option for me to get this done, the club knew about it and I feel great, so it’s business as usual.” In 2012 he missed a dinner to mark the 40th anniversary of Rangers’ Cup Winners’ Cup Final win after he was rushed to hospital with a nose bleed.
And in the summer of 2013 he underwent a hip replacement op following the end of his final season after 26 years in charge of United.
Health and family issues were said to have been the main reasons behind Sir Alex’s decision top finally retire.
He is the most successful manager in British football, winning 49 major trophies including the famous Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 1999.
After finally deciding to retire, Sir Alex said he needed to put his devoted wife Lady Cathy “first” after her twin sister, Bridget, died.
Glasgow-born Sir Alex – who played for Rangers and managed Aberdeen before taking over at United – has kept busy following his retirement.
He teaches part-time at Harvard Business School and is a director and ambassador at Old Trafford.