Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Liam Miller

Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to Liam Miller, who tragically passed away on Friday evening.

Miller was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer late last year, and sadly lost his battle with the disease after undergoing treatment in the United States and in his native Ireland. The former Celtic, Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder was just 36, and had only retired in 2016 after a 16-year professional career. Miller also had spells with Leeds United, Sunderland, Hibernian Perth Glory and Cork City, before ending his career with Wilmington Hammerheads in the US. He won 21 caps for Ireland. Following his passing, many throughout the world of football paid tribute to the former midfielder. Rio Ferdinand played alongside Miller at United, and paid his respects on Saturday afternoon. https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/962293081096708096 As did several former United players. https://instagram.com/p/BfAGwTQBXkX/?utm_source=ig_embed https://twitter.com/vancole9/status/962134938106712066 https://twitter.com/Paulmcgrath5/status/962114953988722690 https://instagram.com/p/BfA0EInB7xL/?utm_source=ig_embed Celtic, the club where Miller began his career, won a league title and played 44 times, held a minute's silence before their game with Patrick Thistle on Saturday. https://twitter.com/BBCSportScot/status/962317276132278272 And his former manager at Old Trafford has paid his respects. Ferguson signed Miller on a free-transfer from Celtic in 2004. The Irishman went on to play 22 times for the club, and Ferguson paid tribute to his professionalism and personality in a short statement, released on United's official website.

"I am very sad to hear that Liam has died. He was a good professional, who served our club in an excellent manner. He was a quiet, unassuming young man and was popular with everyone at Carrington. On behalf of all my staff who worked with Liam at the time, we send our deepest sympathy to his family."

Miller left the club for Roy Keane's Sunderland in 2006, and was part of the team which won the Championship in 2007. He may have not have played a lot of times for United, but he had no regrets. He was kept out of the team by Keane and Paul Scholes, and only focused on the positives when asked about his time at Old Trafford during an interview with the Irish Examiner back in 2015.

"I genuinely look back and think, 'I played for Celtic', my boyhood club. I dreamed of playing for Man United and I got that opportunity as well. I don't know how many other people can say they played for their two childhood clubs, or even one childhood club. Of course, I would have loved to play more games, don't get me wrong, but I got to learn from some of the best players ever. Looking back, it was wonderful."

Miller is survived by his wife and three young children.