Ferguson 'on the mend' after hospital visit caused him to miss LMA awards night

Sir Alex Ferguson is “on the mend” after a recent illness that saw the 84-year-old taken to hospital as a precaution before Manchester United’s Premier League match against Liverpool at Old Trafford on 3 May, League Managers’ Association chief executive Richard Bevan has confirmed.

Ferguson missed the match itself and, four weeks on, was not well enough to attend the LMA’s annual awards night. In his absence, England head coach Thomas Tuchel presented the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy and read a personal letter Ferguson had written to Manager of the Year winner Frank Lampard.

“It is, of course, not the same without Sir Alex himself, and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery so that he is hopefully with us next year on stage again,” Tuchel said before reading the letter aloud.

In the letter, Ferguson congratulated Lampard warmly: “Many congratulations on being named LMA Manager of the Year. You should be very proud of what you and your team have accomplished. Your personality as a manager and a leader is so clearly defined in how your team has played great football this season — with confidence and self-belief, and I have enjoyed watching you.”

Ferguson also praised Lampard’s character, writing: “I know from speaking with you that you have great humility and that important quality of a curious mind for learning. I’m sure winning this award will mean a great deal to you, Frank, and I wish you the best of luck in the Premier League next season.”

Lampard claimed the award after guiding Coventry City to the Championship title. The Premier League Manager of the Year award went to Mikel Arteta, with Michael Carrick and Pep Guardiola among the nominees alongside Andoni Iraola, Keith Andrews, and Regis Le Bris on the six-man shortlist.