Keep fighting boss: Stars rally behind Sir Alex after brain op
Legend in intensive care after brain op
Politicians, former players and thousands of fans send their support as legend recovers in intensive care after suffering haemorrhage
Sir Alex Ferguson was recovering in hospital last night after emergency brain surgery.
Doctors said the operation had gone well after the football legend suffered a brain haemorrhage.
The former Manchester United manager is in intensive care at a hospital in the city.
A statement released by the Old Trafford club 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.
“Everyone at Manchester United sends our very best wishes.”
Reports suggested that, after surgery, he was put into a coma to allow him to recover.
Sir Alex, 76, was taken from his home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, by ambulance at 9am yesterday morning, to Macclesfield District Hospital.
He was then transferred, with a police escort, to Salford Royal Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery.
Fears for Sir Alex’s health began building in the afternoon after son Darren, who manages Doncaster Rovers, missed his side’s League One match against Wigan Athletic due to a “severe family issue”.
A Doncaster club statement said: “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.”
In 2003, Sir Alex was admitted to hospital for a heart irregularity and underwent cardioversion electric shock treatment at Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, near Manchester.
A club statement at the time said that he had “received treatment in hospital following a routine check-up several months ago which revealed a minor heart irregularity. The treatment revealed he has no underlying heart problem.”
Last night, well- wishers – including stars from the world of football and politics – sent him get well soon messages on social media.
Sir Alex won 49 trophies during a glittering managerial career, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues. He
was present at Old Trafford last Sunday as the Red Devils took on Arsenal in what was Arsene Wenger’s final match in charge of the Gunners against his old rivals.
Before the game, Sir Alex, along with current boss Jose Mourinho, presented Wenger with a gift from the club.
The previous day, he had been in Scotland to help his former Dunfermline team-mates celebrate the 50th anniversary of their 1968 Scottish Cup triumph.
The legend was at East End Park and took time out to chat with Pars boss Allan Johnston and his players ahead of their key league encounter against Dumbarton.
The former Aberdeen manager, who led the Dons to European Cup Winners’ Cup victory in 1983, witnessed a comfortable 4- 0 victory. Johnston said: “Sir Alex came in and spoke to us and all the staff.
“It’s great when you meet guys like that, who have been right at the very top of the game and managed the best teams and the best players in the world.
“If there’s anything to take from meeting people like him it’s realising what it takes to win. I’m sure that must have got through to his players – his work ethic and his winning mentality.” Born in Govan, Glasgow, in 1941, Ferguson credited his tough, working- class upbringing with giving him the backbone to rise to the top.
Raised in a tenement flat, Fergie spent his time on the streets with brother Martin and his pals.
He said of his early life: “Our mothers would say: ‘ Get out there and get some fresh air.’”
Sir Alex began his football career with Glasgow’s Harmony Row Youth Club and has supported a long-running campaign for facilities for the group.
On a visit to his old school, Govan High, Sir Alex spoke of how he got his discipline from his dad.
He said: “He was quite a strict person, a non- drinker, and he wanted us to be footballers. All his family emigrated to Canada but he stayed here because he wanted us to be footballers.”
Sir Alex started his professional footballing life at Queen’s Park in 1957. In a 20- year playing career he starred for the Hampden side, St Johnstone, Dunfermline Athletic, Rangers, Falkirk and Ayr United.
He then began his managerial career at East Stirlingshire, before moving to St Mirren, Aberdeen and, finally, Manchester United.
He was knighted in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours, weeks after his Red Devils side featuring the likes of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs claimed a historic treble.