Manchester United stars arrive for first training since Sir Alex Ferguson’s collapse as Phil Jones says legendary former boss is ‘like a father’ to him

Manchester United players drove in to Carrington training base in sombre mood
Thoughts are with legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his recovery
Ferguson underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage on Saturday
Phil Jones described 76-year-old as ‘like a father’ and is ‘devastated’ by the news

Manchester United’s players arrived for training at Carrington for the first time since news broke of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s emergency surgery following a brain haemorrhage.

A sombre mood has enveloped the club and Ferguson’s serious condition casts a long shadow over Old Trafford.

Phil Jones pulled up to training on Monday with his team-mates and the defender is struggling more than most, describing Ferguson as ‘like a father’ to him.

Phil Jones said Sir Alex Ferguson is ‘like a father’ to him as the ex-manager remains in hospital

David de Gea arrived with Sir Alex Ferguson’s collapse casting a shadow over the club

Paul Pogba wore sunglasses as he sat behind the wheel of his Bentley on a bright day

The centre-back has been rocked by the news that Ferguson was admitted to Salford Royal Hospital, a neurological centre of great repute, and had emergency surgery on Saturday.

‘(I am) just devastated, absolutely devastated,’ Jones said.

‘He is such a legend in my eyes. He is the one who brought me to the club and gave me that opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

He’s taken me under his wing like a father and it was shocking, it’s sad, but I know his character.

‘I know he has that fight in him. Hopefully he’ll recover well.’

Jesse Lingard also pulled up at Carrington during a difficult time for those at the club

Nemanja Matic is one of the more experienced players who will have his focus on West Ham

Jones added: ‘He has got all his family and friends around him, the support from all the players and staff at Man United and football around the world.

‘When something like that does happen it’s nice that the football world comes together and shows support and we are all rooting for him. I’m sure he will be fine.’

The rest of Jones’s team-mates also appeared downcast as they arrived at Carrington.

Jose Mourinho was pictured being chauffeur driven in and the Portuguese will have to guide his players and staff through a difficult time for the club.

Ferguson is currently in a stable condition and doctors have warned that the next two days are critical in assessing the impact of his haemorrhage.

Chris Smalling joined a number of his team-mates in wearing shades for the bank holiday sun

Matteo Darmian drove his red jeep into Carrington with a sombre mood enveloping the club

Swedish central defender Victor Lindelof will be hoping for more game time this season

The 76-year-old’s recovery over the coming month will go a long way to defining the long-term effects that the haemorrhage will have on his health.

Neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn wrote in the Telegraph: ‘The most common form (of haemorrhage) for a man of his age with a history of cardiovascular issues… is intracerebral, in which there is bleeding within the brain tissue, causing irreparable damage to those cells.

‘In Sir Alex’s case, his surgeons have decided to operate almost certainly because they felt the size of the blood clot was causing damage to the remaining brain tissue. This is often life-saving surgery and aims to reduce any long-term disability Sir Alex might suffer with this form of stroke.

‘For the first few days after the operation, the focus is on the patient’s life support. A prognosis is very hard to give in the first days and often for some weeks.’

Well wishes continue to flood in for the Scot with the footballing world hoping for a positive outcome for one of the game’s iconic figures.