Beckham and Rooney send support to ill Ferguson

David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have sent well wishes to former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after he underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage.

United confirmed the 76-year-old's situation in a statement on Saturday after reports had begun circulating that he was in intensive care.

Ferguson, whose procedure went "very well" according to the club, spent 27 years as United manager until 2013, overseeing an immensely successful period which included 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

Beckham played a vital role in their first Champions League triumph and was brought through by Ferguson as part of the revered 'Class of '92' alongside Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.

He left United in 2003 for Real Madrid after an infamous bust-up with Ferguson, but the two repaired their relationship in later years and the former England captain is keeping his fingers crossed for the Scot.

Beckham wrote on Instagram: "Keep fighting Boss. Sending prayers and love to Cathy [Ferguson's wife] and the whole family."

Rooney was signed by Ferguson from Everton a year after Beckham's departure and went on to become United's all-time leading scorer after the iconic manager's 2013 departure.

He said on his Twitter account: "Get well soon Boss. Thoughts with all the family at this sad time."

League Managers' Association (LMA) chairman Howard Wilkinson joined the former United pair in offering support to Ferguson's family, while hoping for a "speedy recovery".

His statement said: "I was extremely sorry to hear the news about Alex this evening. I, together with the whole fraternity of football managers in the LMA, wish him well and hope for a speedy recovery from his surgery.

"All our thoughts are with Lady Cathy and the rest of Sir Alex's family at this difficult time."