Football's Sir Alex recovering in Manchester
May 6, 2018
Manchester United requested privacy for its legendary ex-manager on Saturday adding that Ferguson would need a "period of intensive care to optimize his recovery."
An ambulance had been called to the Scot's home at Cheadle, near Manchester, in northwest England on Saturday morning, reported the Daily Mail newspaper.
Read more: Ferguson retires at Manchester United in 2013
From Macclesfield district hospital, Ferguson, 76, had then been transferred to Manchester's Salford Royal hospital with police escort, the Daily Mail added.
Son Darren misses match
Saturday's media alert began when his son Darren, the manager of English third-tier club Doncaster, missed his club's match again Wigan on Saturday because of a "family reason:"
Manchester United then confirmed that "Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage."
'Little whisper' and well-wishers
Former United striker and now Southampton manager Mark Hughes said: "I only just got a little whisper earlier on. I was hoping it wasn't true. I wish him all the best."
Other United players, past and present, took to social media to wish Ferguson a speedy recovery.
"Be strong boss," tweeted United captain Michael Carrick.
United winger Jesse Lingard wrote: "Thoughts and prayers sir alex."
"Please Be Strong Win this one," added former United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel.
Manchester City, once described by Ferguson as United's "noisy neighbors," wished him a "full and speedy recovery."
Last public appearance at Old Trafford for Wenger award
Ferguson was last seen publicly on the Old Trafford pitch last Sunday while presenting an award to long-time former adversary Arsene Wenger, who is about to leave Arsenal after almost 22 years.
Ferguson, born in Glasgow in 1941, joined United in 1986 from Aberdeen, and went on to lead Manchester United to win 13 Premier League titles and take the club's haul of English championship crowns to a record 20.
His crowning moment occurred in 1999 when United won the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
The latter came from two-stoppage-time goals against Bayern Munich, ending 2-1.
He also coached Scotland at the World Cup in 1986.
ipj/bw (AFP, AP, dpa)