Fighting spirit will help put Ferguson back on the mend

Ryan Giggs and Phil Jones both believe Sir Alex Ferguson’s fighting spirit will help him recover from brain surgery.

The 76-year-old former Manchester United manager remains in intensive care in a Salford hospital after an emergency operation on a brain haemorrhage on Saturday.

Ferguson gave Giggs his debut as a 17-year-old in 1991 and he played a part in all of the Scot’s 13 Premier League title victories.

“Now is the time to pray and hope he can make a full recovery,” Giggs told BBC Wales.

“He has been the biggest influence in my career, both on and off the pitch.

“I know the operation has been a success – but he is a fighter and that is what makes me think that he will be able to make a recovery.”

Current United defender Jones agreed, saying: “I know his character. I know he has that fight in him. Hopefully he’ll recover well.”

Jones is one of a handful of players currently at United who were signed by Ferguson, having joined from Blackburn in 2011, and the England international revealed how news of his former manager’s ill health hit him hard.

“(I am) just devastated, absolutely devastated,” Jones 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 winglikeafatheranditwas shocking.”

Current top-flight managers at United’s rival clubs such as Arsene Wenger, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp all had messages of support for Ferguson over the weekend.

And on Sunday, after some Manchester City fans ran on to the pitch to celebrate their Premier League title success, two supporters held up a sign which read: “Football aside get well Fergie”.

Jones added: “When something like this does happen it’s nice that the football world comes together and shows support and we are all rooting for him. I’m sure he will be fine.”