Pep Guardiola and his assistant Brian Kidd took time out from Manchester City’s title celebrations on Sunday to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson, who remains in intensive care after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Ferguson underwent emergency surgery at Salford Royal Hospital on Saturday and a statement from his former club Manchester United later said that the procedure had “gone very well”.

Guardiola is a great admirer of Ferguson and recently had dinner with the 76-year-old, who guided United to 13 league titles and two European Cups among other honours during his time at Old Trafford.

City lifted the Premier League trophy after their 0-0 draw with Huddersfield Town on Sunday and despite jubilant scenes at the Etihad, Ferguson was at the forefront of Guardiola’s mind.

Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Becoming Manchester United manager Sir Alex was named Manchester United boss in 1986 following his success with Aberdeen Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Saved by the cup After a rocky start, Ferguson was famously saved from the sack by winning the FA Cup in 1990 Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Cup Winners' Cup The trophies kept coming from then on as he led United to the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1991 Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures A first Premier League title... Ferguson led United to win the inaugural Premier League in 1993 Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures ... and a second... United retained the trophy and added the FA Cup and Charity Shield - Ferguson's first domestic double Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures ... and a third Another domestic double saw Ferguson reclaim the Premier League crown for Manchester United after losing out to Blackburn Rovers the previous season Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures A first Champions League Ferguson achieved his most memorable feat in 1999 winning the Premier League, the FA Cup and the European Cup Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Coaching the best Cristiano Ronaldo was just one of a number of mega-stars Ferguson coached Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Another Champions League Nine years after his first, Ferguson claimed a second European crown, beating Chelsea on penalties in Moscow in 2008 Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures The Class of '92 Dubbed 'Fergies' Fledglings', Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, David Beckham (all pictured), Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs came through the academy to form the cornerstone of Ferguson's successful teams Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand Manchester United renamed the North Stand after their legendary manager to mark his 25th anniversary in charge in 2011 Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Immortalised in stone Outside the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand is the Scot's likeness in the form of a statue AFP/Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures A final Premier League In 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson won his 13th and final Premier League crown, retiring at the end of the season Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures Freedom of the city Ferguson was handed the freedom of the city of Manchester upon his retirement Man Utd via Getty Images Sir Alex Ferguson - A career in pictures The greatest Ferguson goes down as Britain's most decorated manager and considered the greatest who ever lived my many experts in the game Getty Images

When asked for his reaction to the Scot’s condition, he said: “I think Brian could speak there, Brian knows him well but I think Sir Alex was from the beginning, from this morning, always was there.

“Him and his wife Cathy, all the family, get well and hopefully recover as quick as possible, and recover well and come back.

“For him, for all Manchester United family. Of course it’s not rivalry. All the Manchester City fans today in the stadium, you cannot find one person who cannot want the best for an amazing person.”

Guardiola invited Kidd, Ferguson’s assistant at United between 1991 and 1998, to add some words and the 68-year-old paid further tribute to a “phenomenal” man.

“He’s an iconic person and there was really sombre mood yesterday evening and this morning,” Kidd said.

“You think Sir Alex Ferguson is indestructible. What he did for Manchester United, it’s unreal. The pressure he was under every day to produce, it’s phenomenal.

“All of us at Manchester City, he’s in our prayers and thought with Cathy and the kids and we wish him a speedy healthy recovery. We send all our love to him. I think that’s everybody.

“You lads as well have had your run-ins with him but you know where he’s coming from. He bears his heart on his sleeve. I can’t thank him enough.