The health of Sir Alex Ferguson dominated sports headlines all across the world on Saturday, as well wishes poured in from every corner of the football community. The legendary former Manchester United manager, one of the most iconic figures in club history, suffered a brain haemorrhage, and then underwent emergency surgery.
The club released a statement stating that surgery went very well and that the 76-year-old would have to remain in the hospital, in intensive care, for a period of recovery. United midfielder Juan Mata gave a tribute to Ferguson, and said the club most honor the winning mentality instilled at the club by him during the run in to close the 2017-18 season.
Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone surgery today for a brain haemorrhage. The procedure has gone very well but he needs a period of intensive care to aid his recovery. His family request privacy in this matter.
Everyone at Manchester United sends our very best wishes. pic.twitter.com/SDoNzMwVEZ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 5, 2018
“All of us were overwhelmed by the news about Sir Alex Ferguson’s health condition. This circumstance has had a huge impact on Manchester United, as you can imagine. All of us are united right now, wishing Sir Alex a speedy recovery,” Juan Mata said.
“He has been a unique and fundamental figure in the football world over the last few decades. I’ve never been coached by him, unfortunately, yet I know well his incomparable legacy on this club, that winning mentality that we must honour in the last three games of the season, especially in the FA Cup final.
“To achieve that, we are going to work hard while we eagerly await good news about Sir Alex’s recovery.”
United will travel to West Ham United Thursday night and then host Watford on Saturday. Then they take on Chelsea on May 19 in the FA Cup Final, a match that will see both clubs going for their first and only trophy of the season.
It would be phenomenal for not just the club, but for football in general, to see Ferguson at the stadium for the Cup final.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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