Sir Alex Ferguson:Ex-Manchester United Manager Thanks Hospital After Surgery

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says he would "not be sitting here today" without the "great care" of hospital staff after his surgery for a brain haemorrhage in May.

Ferguson, 76, has spoken publicly for the first time since going home from hospital in a video on social media.

The Scot also thanked well wishers "for the support you have given me".

"It has made me feel so humble, as have all the messages I have received from all over the world," he added.

Ferguson had emergency surgery on 5 May and was in intensive care for several days at Salford Royal Hospital.

His last public appearance was on 29 April at Old Trafford when he presented former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with a commemorative trophy.

In a 48-second video posted on Manchester United's Twitter account,Ferguson said: "I want to thank the medical staff at Macclesfield, Salford Royal and Alexandra hospitals.

"Believe me, without those people who gave me such great care I would not be sitting here today. Thank you from me and my family.

"The good wishes do resonate very strongly with me. Thank you for the support you have given me.

"I will be back later in the season to watch the team and, in the meantime, all the best to Jose Mourinho and the players."

Ferguson retired as United manager in May 2013 after winning 38 trophies during 26 years in charge.

The most successful manager in the history of the British game, his trophy haul at Old Trafford included 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League crowns, five FA Cups and four League Cups.

Enyimba FC departs for cote d'iviore

Enyimba of Aba

• LMC to announce NPFL’s resumption date next week.Nigeria’s remaining representative in African inter-club competitions, Enyimba of Aba will leave Lagos today for Abidjan for the 2nd leg of its CAF Confederation Cup tie with Williamsville FC.

Enyimba beat the Ivoirian side 1-0 in Port Harcourt two weeks ago to lead Group C of the competition on six points. Other teams in the group are CARA of Congo and Mali’s Djoliba FC. A win or draw for Enyimba will take them closer to the semifinal of the competition. They are Nigeria’s only hope of winning an inter-club continental laurel this year.

Meanwhile, the League Management Company (LMC) is expected to announce the resumption of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) next week.

The NPFL went on break before the just concluded World Cup to allow the players and clubs follow the proceedings in Russia. It was supposed to resume on July 18, but the LMC was forced to suspend it indefinitely due to the leadership crisis that dogged Nigerian football after Russia 2018.

The LMC then hinged its decision to suspend the league on the “adverse circumstances in the administration of football in the country, as a result of which sponsors, partners and service providers have expressed strong concerns and are reviewing their involvement in the league.

“Furthermore, organising matches of the NPFL under the current circumstances might cause irreversible damage to the league brand.”

An official of the league body said yesterday "the LMC had taken into account the return to normalcy in the football sector and will soon communicate the resumption date to the clubs".

WORLDCUP 2018:Pavard wins best goal of the tournament

Image caption'Glorious' Pavard strike brings France level

Benjamin Pavard's stunning strike in France's World Cup last-16 victory over Argentina has been voted the best goal of the tournament in Russia.

The defender, who showed superb technique to fire into the top corner, received the most votes cast by three million fans on the Fifa website.

"I didn't even think about it. I just tried to get over it and keep it down," Pavard, 22, said after the game.

France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final to win the trophy for the second time.

Pavard added: "The ball bounced up as it came to me. I was trying to hit it in the direction it came from, which is what the strikers always tell me.

"When the ball went in I just felt so happy."

Juan Quintero's clever free-kick for Colombia against Japan came second...

www.google.com

Image caption'Clever free-kick' from Quintero levels for Colombia

...and Luka Modric's brilliant long-range strike for Croatia against Argentina was third.

Image captionModric's 'magnificent' strike doubles Croatia's lead