Wenger United

hope he recovers quickly. He is a strong man. Nobody knows exactly what it is.”

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, speaking after his side’s game against Liverpool, said: “I’m very sad because I have had the possibility to know him, and his wife, and to understand this is a special person.

“I appreciate the man a lot. This news changed my day in a bad way. But we hope to see him quickly and give our best wishes to him to recover very soon.”

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp added: “When I heard it yesterday, I couldn’t believe it. But this can happen to all of us. He was and will be in my players’ minds now. I wish him and his family all the best.

“He will be in good shape again, and I’m looking forward to seeing him again.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealed the good friends had been out to dinner a fortnight ago.

The Spaniard said: “Brian Kidd, who is here now, was with (Sir Alex) for a lot of time (at United). So a big hug (for Fergie) and our thoughts are with his wife Cathy and the Manchester United family.

“I was glad to have dinner with him two weeks ago, and hopefully he can recover as quickly as possible.

“All the fans in the stadium, you couldn’t find one who doesn’t wish this amazing person all the best.”

Kidd, who was Fergie’s assistant for seven years, said: “He’s an iconic person. You think he’s indestructible.

“What he did for United was phenomenal.

“He’s in our prayers and thoughts. We wish him a speedy recovery.”

There has been no update on Sir Alex’s condition but last night the club thanked well-wishers.

They said: “Manchester United would like to thank the wider football world for the messages of support following the news that Sir Alex Ferguson underwent emergency surgery on Saturday evening.”