Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken publicly for the first time since undergoing emergency brain surgery, thanking fans for their good wishes.

The 76-year-old former Aberdeen, Scotland and Manchester United manager was rushed to hospital in May after suffering a brain haemorrhage and spent time in intensive care recovering from surgery.

Ferguson has been recovering at home for the last two months but has now released the message through Manchester United's Twitter account.

"Just a quick message first of all to thank the medical staff at Macclesfield, Salford Royal and Alexandria hospitals," he said. "Believe me, without those people who gave me such great care I would not be sitting here today.

"So, thank you from me and my family. Thank you very much.

"It has made me feel so humble, as have all the messages I have had from all over the world, wishing me the best, and the good wishes do resonate very, very strongly with me. So thank you for that support you have given me."

Ferguson went on to wish Manchester United good luck and said he planned to return to Old Trafford to watch the team in the future.

Sir Alex, who was born in Glasgow, is one of the most successful managers in the history of football, winning 13 English league titles and two European Cups with United, as well as three Scottish championships and European success in charge of Aberdeen.

He led Scotland at the 1986 World Cup and also managed East Stirling and St Mirren.

In his playing career, Sir Alex turned out as a striker for Rangers, Dunfermline, Queen's Park, St Johnstone, Falkirk and Ayr United.