Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, 76, undergoes emergency surgery after suffering a brain haemorrhage leaving him fighting for life in intensive care

  • Sir Alex Ferguson was rushed to hospital on Saturday following a subarachnoid brain haemorrhage
  • The 76-year-old remains in intensive care where he is being treated by doctors following the operation
  • Ferguson's family are said to be very pleased with how the operation went and are hopeful of recovery
  • An ambulance was called to Ferguson's home in Cheshire on Saturday morning amid serious health scares
  • Darren Ferguson was unable to be present for his side's final game of the season due to his father's situation
  • The Doncaster boss made clear he had to attend a 'severe family issue' and asked for privacy
  • Alex Ferguson was present at Old Trafford last weekend to present former foe Arsene Wenger with a gift
  • READ: Messages of well wishing pour in from players past and present following the breaking news

Legendary former football manager Sir Alex Ferguson has undergone surgery for a brain haemorrhage after being rushed to hospital amid fears for his health.

The 76-year-old suffered a fall at his Cheshire home as a result, and was quickly taken via an ambulance to Macclesfield district hospital.

The Scotsman was subsequently transferred, with a police escort, to be treated at the Salford Royal where he underwent surgery and now remains in intensive care. 

The family of the iconic manager are said to be very pleased with how the operation went, and are hopeful Ferguson can make a full recovery.

Sir Alex Ferguson has had surgery for a brain haemorrhage after being rushed to hospital on Saturday morning

Sir Alex Ferguson has had surgery for a brain haemorrhage after being rushed to hospital on Saturday morning

The 76-year-old was at Old Trafford last weekend to present Arsene Wenger with a gift before his Arsenal departure

The 76-year-old was at Old Trafford last weekend to present Arsene Wenger with a gift before his Arsenal departure

The Scotsman is the most successful manager in the history of British football, with 38 trophies to his name

The Scotsman is the most successful manager in the history of British football, with 38 trophies to his name

Ferguson guided Manchester United from 1986-2013 after arriving relatively unknown from Aberdeen to take charge 

Ferguson guided Manchester United from 1986-2013 after arriving relatively unknown from Aberdeen to take charge 

Under his guidance United won 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and five FA Cup trophies

Under his guidance United won 13 Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions Leagues and five FA Cup trophies

Ferguson attended the Champions League quarter-final tie between Roma and Barcelona with his wife Cathy in early April

Ferguson attended the Champions League quarter-final tie between Roma and Barcelona with his wife Cathy in early April

As in most cases with a subarachnoid haemorrhage the severity depends upon how quickly the illness was picked up and identified, with doctors often monitoring the situation following surgery to see the manner in which the patient responds.

A statement from Manchester United read: '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.'

Manchester United players were made aware of Ferguson's condition before the information was made public and the statement issued by the club. 

Ferguson was present at Old Trafford last weekend as his former club took on Arsenal in what was Arsene Wenger's final match against his old foe.


Ferguson took to the pitch to present Wenger with a commemorative trophy as a gift from the club, along with current boss Jose Mourinho.

Messages of well wishing soon began pouring in from the football world and wider afield, as Ferguson's condition became public knowledge.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, speaking to the Mail on Sunday, said: 'I am concerned and I'm thinking about him and his family. I trust his strength and his strong character will get him well very quickly.' 

A series of the current Manchester United players instantly sent their best wishes to the former boss, while Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany urged for the Scotsman to pull through, writing: 'Hang in there Sir Alex, thoughts are with the family and close ones.'

Club captain Michael Carrick echoed the sentiments with his own personal message: 'Absolutely devastated to hear about Sir Alex being unwell in hospital. All my thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Be strong boss.' 

WHAT IS A SUBARACHNOID HAEMORRHAGE?

A subarachnoid haemorrhage is an uncommon type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain. It's a very serious condition and can be fatal.

Subarachnoid haemorrhages account for around 1 in every 20 strokes in the UK.

There are usually no warning signs, but a subarachnoid haemorrhage sometimes happens during physical effort or straining, such as coughing, going to the toilet or lifting something heavy.

Symptoms:  

  • A sudden agonising headache – which is often described as being similar to a sudden hit on the head, resulting in a blinding pain unlike anything experienced before
  • A stiff neck
  • Feeling and being sick
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Stroke-like symptoms – such as slurred speech and weakness on one side of the body
  • Loss of consciousness or convulsions (uncontrollable shaking)

Treatment: A person with a suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage needs a CT scan in hospital to check for signs of bleeding around the brain.

If a diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage is confirmed or strongly suspected, you're likely to be transferred to a specialist neurosciences unit.

Medication will usually be given to help prevent short-term complications, and a procedure to repair the source of the bleeding may be carried out.

Medical information via the NHS official website 

Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who worked closely with Fergie and was part of the backbone of his Manchester United side, wrote online: 'Devastated to hear about Sir Alex. Stay strong boss, thoughts are with you.'

The Scotsman is best known for the dynasty of success he created at Manchester United over the course of 27 trophy-laden years, the likes of which surpassed anything seen before in the English game.

Moulding a succession of outstanding teams, United won the Champions League twice, 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, four League Cups and the European Cup Winners' Cup during his time there between 1986 and 2013.

Prior to that, Ferguson elevated unglamorous Aberdeen to challenge the established order of the Old Firm in his homeland. They won three Scottish league titles, four Scottish Cups, a Scottish League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1983.

Following his stepping down from the United helm, which ended in a thrilling 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in May 2013, Ferguson was soon immortalised at Old Trafford by having a stand named in his honour, while a statue of the Scotsman was soon unveiled outside the ground.

An Old Trafford stand was soon named after the iconic boss, truly immortalising him in the history of the club

An Old Trafford stand was soon named after the iconic boss, truly immortalising him in the history of the club

A statue of Scotsman was then erected outside the ground on the exterior of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand

A statue of Scotsman was then erected outside the ground on the exterior of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand

Ferguson won 38 trophies in 26 years in charge of Manchester United and quickly became a living club legend

Ferguson won 38 trophies in 26 years in charge of Manchester United and quickly became a living club legend

The veteran boss was responsible for moulding Cristiano Ronaldo into the formidable force he is today

The veteran boss was responsible for moulding Cristiano Ronaldo into the formidable force he is today

Ferguson also oversaw the rise of United legend David Beckham, with the duo enjoying consistent success at Old Trafford

Ferguson also oversaw the rise of United legend David Beckham, with the duo enjoying consistent success at Old Trafford

After stepping down Ferguson has been an ever presence in the years that followed, working as part of the club hierarchy

After stepping down Ferguson has been an ever presence in the years that followed, working as part of the club hierarchy

SIR ALEX - BRITAIN'S MOST SUCCESSFUL MANAGER

ST MIRREN
Scottish First Division (1): 1976-77.

ABERDEEN
Scottish Premier Division (3): 1979-80, 1983-84, 1984-85.
Scottish Cup (4): 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86.
Scottish League Cup (1): 1985-86.
European Cup-Winners' Cup (1): 1982-83.
European Super Cup (1): 1983.

MANCHESTER UNITED
Premier League (13): 1992-93, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13.

FA Cup (5): 1989-90, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99, 2003-04.

League Cup (4): 1991-92, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10.

Charity/Community Shield (10): 1990 (shared), 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011.

Champions League (2): 1998-99, 2007-08.

European Cup-Winners' Cup (1): 1990-91.

European Super Cup (1): 1991.

Intercontinental Cup (1): 1999.

FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008.

His son, Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson had to miss out on his side's final fixture of the League One campaign on Saturday due to a 'severe family issue.'

Rovers ended their season at home to League One leaders Wigan, though the manager had more pressing matters to attend to and rightly put the football on the back burner.

Ferguson, whose father is legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex, informed bosses at Rovers he would be unable to take charge of the season finale.

A statement on the official club website read: 'Darren asks for privacy, and will provide an update through the club during the week.' 

Assistant Gavin Strachan, son of former Scotland boss Gordon, sat in the dugout instead to take over the managerial duties.

Darren Ferguson had to miss out on his side's final fixture of the season on Saturday due to a "severe family issue."

Darren Ferguson had to miss out on his side's final fixture of the season on Saturday due to a 'severe family issue.'

Ferguson followed his father's lead and entered football management after his playing days came to an end

Ferguson followed his father's lead and entered football management after his playing days came to an end

Doncaster have already secured a mid-table finish and will continue to play League One football in the coming season.

Ferguson followed his legendary father's lead by seeking out a career in football management once his playing days came to an end.

Ferguson started his career playing for his father at United before plying his trade at Wolves, Sparta Rotterdam, Wrexham and Peterborough.

Turning his hand to management, Ferguson enjoyed spells with former club Peterborough before steering the ship at Preston North End and later Doncaster.

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