Man Utd and Liverpool legends share love as Edwin van der Sar gives major update on brain bleed recovery

Manchester United and Liverpool legends have celebrated news that Premier League great Edwin van der Sar is on the road to recovery after suffering a brain haemorrhage while on a family holiday in Croatia.

The Red Devils legend was airlifted to hospital and rushed into intensive care on Friday, July 7 after suffering a bleed around the brain. The Dutchman's wife Annemarie van Kesteren and former club Ajax had been communicating about the star's critical condition but now van der Sar has shared his own update.

Taking to social media on Tuesday, the 52-year-old wrote: "First of all, we want to thank everyone for all the great and supportive messages. I’m happy to share that I’m no longer in the intensive care unit. However, I’m still in hospital. I hope to go home next week and take the next step in my recovery!"

The goalkeeper, who most recently worked as CEO at Ajax, is now being treated in a hospital in the Netherlands after making his initial recovery in Split.

Reacting to the news online, football legends from Manchester United and clubs around the world welcomed the news of van der Sar's recovery.

Defender Patrice Evra sent his love to a former colleague he considers 'family' while Rio Ferdinand and Kasper Schmeichel also shared well-wishes in the comments.

Phil Neville and Dutchmen Donny van de Beek and Davy Klassen were also present in the comments of the social media posts, as were Ruud van Nistelrooy and Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech wrote: "Get well soon! Great to see you doing better."

Ex Liverpool shot-stopper Jerzy Dudek added: "Great to see you. Best recovery friend."

van der Sar's health battle comes after a difficult year as Ajax CEO which resulted in him leaving the post at the end of the season.

The Dutch club struggled after manager Erik ten Hag left for the Red Devils last summer, sacking successor Alfred Schreuder and failing to qualify for next season's Champions League with a third-place Eredivisie finish.

In an official statement confirming his departure, Van der Sar hinted at emotional struggles as 'an incredibly tough period' left him needing to 'get some distance and some rest'.

The star played 266 times for Manchester United between 2005 and 2011, winning four Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Champions League. The Dutchman is widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers to play in the Premier League.