Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson misses iconic event as health update given

League Managers' Association chief executive Richard Bevan has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson is 'on the mend' following his absence from their annual awards evening. Ferguson, 84, is recuperating after a recent bout of illness, having received treatment at a local hospital as a precautionary measure. He began feeling unwell before Manchester United's Premier League fixture against Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 3. Four weeks on, the Scot was not well enough to attend Tuesday's ceremony, though he did pen a letter to Manager of the Year recipient Frank Lampard.

Thomas Tuchel stepped in to present the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy on his behalf. The England head coach said: "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. Until then, I have the privilege to read this letter to you, Frank." JOIN OUR WALES FOOTBALL FB PAGE! Get latest news, analysis and more on The Dragons Ferguson's letter reads: "Dear Frank, 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. "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 secured the award following his success in guiding Coventry City to the Championship title.

Mikel Arteta claimed the Premier League Manager of the Year accolade, with Andoni Iraola, Keith Andrews, Michael Carrick, Pep Guardiola and Regis Le Bris also in contention. Ferguson contacted Guardiola last week ahead of his final match as Manchester City manager. During the pre-game press conference, the Catalan coach revealed: "One of the biggest compliments I had: I got a message from Sir Alex Ferguson yesterday. That made me so happy." When pressed on its contents, Guardiola replied: "A Scottish accent, I didn't understand it!

I will call him back. Congratulations for the trajectory and for what we achieved. It means a lot to me. "He is the greatest in this country.

The tenure, the time, and for many, many reasons... I'm happy that Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest, could [see]... "I'm pretty sure [to] Sir Alex, we are not the 'noisy neighbours', we are the 'neighbours'. Just 'the neighbours'.

And I'm happy that he has been watching." Ferguson consistently praised Guardiola throughout his tenure as United manager. Following the 3-1 defeat to his Barcelona side in the 2011 Champions League final, the Scot remarked: "In my time as manager, this is the best team we've faced – I think everyone acknowledges that and I accept that."