Boxer Anthony Crolla has revealed that he received a call from former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson after he was injured by burglars.
Crolla suffered a fractured skull and a broken ankle when one of the burglars hit him with a concrete block having broken into his neighbours' house.
The injuries forced the 28-year-old to cancel his world title bout with Richar Abril next month, but he has since been boosted by Ferguson passing on his best wishes.
"He told me he'd seen the articles about me and said I'd done exactly the right thing and that there are some bad people out there," he told the Manchester Evening News.
"His call has given me a massive boost. He told me to enjoy Christmas and when I told him I was determined to come back he said that was exactly the right attitude."
Crolla, a United fan, was also sent a signed shirt by club captain Wayne Rooney following the attack.