Rarely does the football community unite to support the same cause, but the news of Sir Alex Ferguson’s illness has provided one of these rare moments.
It was announced on Saturday evening that the former Manchester United manager has been rushed into hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage, which has required him to have emergency surgery.
A statement released by Manchester United has revealed that the surgery has gone ‘very well,’ although the former Aberdeen and Rangers striker remains in intensive care in order to aid his recovery.
It takes a great man to unite the football world in a big way, but Sir Alex Ferguson is an absolute Goliath of the game, winning an incredible 13 Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues, to name just a portion of his honours, and it is because of his stature, that has produced such an outpouring of emotion from the length and breadth of the sport.
Here are just a small selection of the tributes left on social media by some of football’s biggest clubs and players, many with no connection to the great man whatsoever, apart from rivalry and respect:
We’re all thinking of you, Sir Alex. pic.twitter.com/2K14ZPKFMk
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 5, 2018
This evening, everybody at Chelsea FC sends our best wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson for a full and swift recovery following emergency surgery.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 5, 2018
Everyone at Everton Football Club wishes Sir Alex Ferguson a speedy and full recovery following his emergency surgery today.
— Everton (@Everton) May 5, 2018
Everyone at Manchester City wishes Sir Alex Ferguson a full and speedy recovery after his surgery #footballfamily
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 5, 2018
Everybody at the Club sends their best wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson for a full and speedy recovery following his emergency surgery today. pic.twitter.com/bCqtsxRvu3
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 5, 2018
Everyone at the Club would like to send our best wishes and support to Sir Alex Ferguson and his family as he recovers from surgery. pic.twitter.com/7YEW168NHz
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 5, 2018
???? We wish you a quick recovery!
https://t.co/No1UmXpgXT— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 5, 2018
Club president Jim Pallotta and all at #ASRoma are hoping and praying Sir Alex Ferguson makes a full and speedy recovery after his surgery. A true football legend. pic.twitter.com/dD82tQL5fU
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) May 5, 2018
For everyone at #Galatasaray, we would like to send our very best wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson and his loved ones at this difficult time. We wish him a full recovery. pic.twitter.com/CckTiw9avF
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) May 5, 2018
My thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear friend. Be strong, Boss! pic.twitter.com/kmih28Xpsq
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) May 5, 2018
Hope and wish Sir Alex Ferguson to stay Strong and to have a full recovery!!???????????? #PrayforSirAlex
— Pepe Reina (@PReina25) May 5, 2018
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 xx
— Michael Carrick (@carras16) May 5, 2018
Sir Alex Ferguson found a way to beat every opposition – you can beat this one – thoughts with the ultimate Gaffer. #SirAlex
— Jimmy Bullard (@jimmybullard) May 5, 2018
Very sorry to hear about sir Alex Ferguson being in hospital. Thoughts are with him and his family. Stay strong Boss ???? https://t.co/Fbz9I1edsp
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) May 5, 2018
Get well soon Boss. Thoughts with all the family at this sad time. #AlexFerguson
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) May 5, 2018
Get well soon Sir Alex Ferguson. Hope he makes a full recovery ????????
— Mesut Özil (@M10) May 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/thierryhenry/status/992862065126772736?s=21
https://twitter.com/robbie9fowler/status/992854972344696832?s=21
After hearing the dreadful news this evening, everyone at @valenciacf_en would like to wish former @ManUtd manager Sir Alex Ferguson a speedy recovery. ????
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf_en) May 5, 2018
One of the most heartfelt though must be from former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who’s wife suffered a brain haemorrhage back in 2006:
Devasted about the news about Sir Alex and knowing all to well about the situation ourselves. Stay strong and hope together with everyone you recover. Edwin & Annemarie pic.twitter.com/aaxqRI9Bg7
— Edwin van der Sar (@vdsar1970) May 5, 2018