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FERGIE'S FIRST WORDS
Sir Alex Ferguson’s first words to his family after having brain surgery: ‘How did Doncaster get on?’
SIR Alex Ferguson’s first words to his family after brain surgery were: “How did Doncaster get on?”
He was rushed to hospital hours before son Darren’s Doncaster Rovers played host to Wigan in the final match of the season — and lost 1-0.
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A source said: “Typical Sir Alex. He can’t stop talking football.”
Fergie, 76, stunned his family minutes after coming round from emergency surgery — by joking about flying to Kiev in two weeks' time for the Champions League final.
He reluctantly admitted his recovery will stop him attending his beloved Manchester United’s FA Cup Wembley showdown with Chelsea on Saturday week.
But he told family at his hospital bedside: “Aye, the Cup Final is out — but what about Kiev?”
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A club source said: “Of course he’d love to be at Kiev on May 26 to see his former star player Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Real Madrid against Liverpool.
“Ronaldo sees Sir Alex as a father figure. But Sir Alex needs plenty of rest and will have to follow his consultant’s strict instructions to recover fully.”
Manchester United fans chant Sir Alex Ferguson’s name during away game at West Brom as he recovers from emergency brain operation
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The legendary United manager, who had a brain haemorrhage, was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning.
And his first words as he came out of an induced coma after surgery at Salford Royal Hospital, Gtr Manchester, were: “So, how did Doncaster get on?”
A source said: “Typical Sir Alex — he can’t stop talking football. He’s very chipper and his prognosis is good. He’s already re-arranging his diary.”
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Pep Guardiola and Brian Kidd talk about Sir Alex Ferguson after his emergency brain surgery
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Fergie’s wife Cathy and their sons Darren, Jason and Mark have been at his bedside. They are said to be “pleased and extremely encouraged” by his progress.
Goodwill messages from the biggest names in football flooded in after it was revealed Sir Alex had needed an emergency operation.
Ronaldo, whose raw talent was nurtured by Sir Alex during a six-year spell at Old Trafford, said on Twitter: “My thoughts and prayers are with you my dear friend. Be strong, Boss!”
Gary Lineker, Frank Lampard and Martin Keown wish Sir Alex Ferguson well on Match of the Day
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He scored in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona in Sunday’s “El Clasico” clash but did not celebrate his goal.
Ronaldo explained in a post-match interview: “How am I supposed to celebrate when the person who taught me to play football is suffering in the hospital?”
Sir Alex would have revelled in the chance to see Ronaldo and Real take on United’s fierce rivals Liverpool in the Ukraine.
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He was at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for last year’s final when Real beat Juventus 4-1.
Sir Alex watched Ronaldo score twice and later handed him the man of the match award.
Brain haemorrhages can cause speech loss and paralysis.
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Sir Alex is likely to be asked to do a series of tests to determine his sense of balance before he is discharged by doctors.
He will also be asked to do dexterity tests — such as putting pegs in and out of holes within a specified time limit.
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