Manchester United says former manager Alex Ferguson is out of intensive care in the hospital following surgery on a brain hemorrhage.

The 76-year-old Ferguson underwent the emergency operation on Saturday.

Man United says "Sir Alex no longer needs Intensive Care and will continue rehabilitation as an inpatient" so he will remain in hospital.

The Premier League club added that Ferguson's "family have been overwhelmed by the level of support and good wishes but continue to request privacy as this will be vital during this next stage of recovery."

Earlier, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said the club was "very, very positive" about the condition of Alex Ferguson, who underwent emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage over the weekend.

United hadn't issued an update on Ferguson's health since saying Saturday that he required "a period of intensive care to optimise his recovery."

Speaking Wednesday ahead of United's Premier League game against West Ham, Mourinho said "his family asked for privacy and that is what I am going to respect. But we are positive. We are very, very positive."

Ferguson spent almost 27 years as manager of United before retiring in 2013 as the most successful coach in British football history. Get well messages and tributes have flooded in from around the world since Saturday.