Manchester United squad members who worked with Sir Alex Ferguson are ‘devastated’ after it emerged the Scot suffered a brain haemorrhage on Saturday.
It is understood the 76-year-old was taken to Macclesfield district hospital on Saturday morning and then transferred to Salford Royal after falling unwell at his Cheshire home.
The MEN understands that some of the current squad players who were managed by Ferguson learnt of his illness before the club issued a statement on Saturday evening. A source said United players were ‘devastated’ and ‘gutted’. Ferguson is understood to be recovering well after a ‘serious’ procedure.
David de Gea, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and Paul Pogba were all signed by Ferguson between 2009 and 2011. Jesse Lingard won the Youth Cup in 2011 and made his first-team bow after Ferguson had retired.
A United spokesperson 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.”
Several United players past and present, including Smalling, De Gea and Carrick, have posted goodwill messages on their social media accounts.
United manager Jose Mourinho is due to attend his pre-match press conference ahead of the Premier League trip to West Ham on Wednesday afternoon and the squad is expected to travel down to London later that day. United kick-off at the London Stadium on Thursday night.
Their Premier League campaign ends with the visit of Watford next Sunday before the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 19. Ferguson attended the semi-final win over Tottenham at Wembley. (Manchester Evening News)
