Sir Alex Ferguson sign mysteriously disappears from outside Old Trafford

The footballing world has rallied in recent days to show its support to Sir Alex Ferguson as he recovers from emergency surgery on a brain haemorrhage.

However as the 76-year-old recovers in hospital, fans were dealt another blow as a sign outside Old Trafford mysteriously vanished.

Sir Alex came out of his coma and was showing promising early signs of recovery on Monday following surgery.

Ferguson remains in intensive care but has been sitting up talking to family and friends at Salford Royal Hospital.

Surgery went very well and the 76-year-old's response to treatment has given encouragement and cautious optimism to those close to him, although they recognise it will still be a slow road to full recovery as he continues to be assessed.

But while Ferguson was recovering, there was concern outside Old Trafford regarding the whereabouts of a famous street sign bearing his name.

One of the Sir Alex Ferguson Way signs had been removed from its post.

It is thought that the sign's removal was temporary and for maintenance reasons, rather than the result of theft, but this has not been confirmed.

If this is indeed the case, the timing of the sign's removal for maintenance is questionable considering the seriousness of Ferguson's condition.

The sign should be back in place by Sunday when United host Watford on the final day of the season.

But West Ham away is currently top of United footballing agenda, with Paul Pogba and Co keen to get back on track after losing at Brighton last week.

Pogba drove into training in a black Rolls Royce on Tuesday, while Luke Shaw arrived behind the wheel of his Range Rover.

Striker Marcus Rashford gave fellow academy product Jesse Lingard a lift, while right back Matteo Darmian pulled up in club colours as he drove a bright red Jeep.

United full back Ashley Young spoke to talkSPORT about how Ferguson's health scare has affected players and staff at the club.

Young, who won the Premier League title under Ferguson in 2013, said: 'I was deeply affected, sad and I was lost for words. You can only hope and pray that everything is going to be OK.

'Everyone at the club is wishing him all the best and his family as well.

'He is a great man. I have the utmost respect for him as all the players you speak to will have.'

Young was driven to training by former player Ben Thornley.