Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is in intensive care after struggling a bleed across the mind.

The 52-year-old, who stepped down as Ajax's chief govt earlier this yr, is in a secure situation in hospital, based on his former membership.

"On Friday, Edwin van der Sar had a bleeding around his brain," the Dutch facet mentioned in an announcement.

"He's currently in hospital in the intensive care unit and is in a stable condition.

"Once there's extra concrete data, an replace will observe."

The membership added: "Everyone at Ajax wishes Edwin a speedy recovery. We're thinking of you."

It has been reported Van der Sar was admitted to hospital whereas away in Croatia. Earlier this month, he was pictured at an unique rooftop restaurant on the Croatian island of Hvar.

Van der Sar began his profession at Ajax, the place he was a part of the membership's "golden generation" that famously received the Champions League in 1995.

He later moved to Italian facet Juventus, earlier than becoming a member of Premier League facet Fulham in 2001.

After a profitable spell in west London, he moved to Manchester United in 2005, the place he received a second Champions League trophy.

He additionally made 130 appearances for the Dutch nationwide facet.

Considered the most effective goalkeepers of his era - and by some as the most effective of all time - Van der Sar additionally received a collection of particular person awards, together with Best European Goalkeeper, twice, and UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year.

He retired from skilled soccer in 2011 and joined the Ajax board a yr later, earlier than turning into chief govt in 2016.

He stepped down in May, saying he wanted to "take some distance, to get some rest, and to do other things".

"We have experienced wonderful things together, but it has also been an incredibly tough period," he mentioned after a troublesome season for the Eredivisie facet, who completed 12-points behind champions Feyenoord - having not completed out of the Dutch league's prime two for 14 years.

Van de Sar has been married to his spouse Annemarie van Kesteren since 2006 and the couple have two kids.

In December 2009, whereas he was at Manchester United, Van de Sar's spouse collapsed with a mind haemorrhage.

The goalkeeper was given compassionate go away on the time by then United supervisor Sir Alex Ferguson.

His spouse made a full restoration.