Mark Hughes claims Erik ten Hag is showing the same discipline as Sir Alex Ferguson at Man United

Former Manchester United title winner Mark Hughes believes Erik ten Hag is the best man to lead the club back to the glory days and has compared his attitude and man-management style to legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson .

Hughes, now manager of League Two team Bradford, hailed his former club’s turnaround so far under Ten Hag, who has already won the League Cup title and led United to a League semi-final. FA Cup and third in the Premier League.

The Dutchman on the bench has transformed what was a downtrodden and embarrassed Man United last season into a team brimming with confidence and playing a style of football that has seen a welcome factor return to Old Trafford.

Hughes has clearly absorbed some of the positive mood at the United camp and told the Mirror that Ten Hag has ‘steadied the ship’ but needs ‘time’ for the club to get back on top.

“Erik ten Hag came in and steadied the rocking boat,” Hughes said.

Iconic former Manchester United striker Mark Hughes (left) compared Erik ten Hag (photo right, left) to legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson (photo right, right)

Manchester United players have benefited from much-needed discipline this season

Hughes compared Ten Hag’s attitude to Ferguson’s (pictured) man management style

He will need time and he has done the initial part of dealing with the demand he had on him as club manager, stabilizing everything.

“It seems that he has instilled discipline in the group and in the club in general.” Playing with Sir Alex Ferguson, his standards of discipline and behavior were strong, it was one of his mantras.

“It seems like Ten Hag has taken a bit of that on board and seems like he’s a very direct and structured guy who just tells you what he’s like,” he added.

Hughes was one of Ferguson’s biggest signings during his early tenure at United, becoming the club’s record signing in 1988 and over 10 seasons in two spells at the club helping them to the first two of 13 titles from Ferguson’s Premier League along with three FA. Cup and many other honors.

During that period, he witnessed many of Ferguson’s famous hair-drying dressing room moments, as the Scotsman demanded the highest levels of discipline and respect from players lucky enough to play for the English giants.

The Welshman left United in 1995 when the young blood of the Class of ’92 began to be introduced into the first team by the serial title-winning manager.

However, Hughes has kept an eye on United since his departure and maintains a strong relationship with the club despite having enjoyed a spell at the helm of inter-city rivals Manchester City.

His analysis of Ten Hag is a fair assessment given the Dutchman’s immediate success after taking over as manager after United’s worst Premier League season.

Ten Hag’s man-management style has brought stars like Marcus Rashford (left) back into acting

Ten Hag has instilled some much-needed discipline within his previously underperforming superstar squad and has shown that he isn’t afraid to punish players who don’t live up to the standards he has set.

The United boss ruled out Marcus Rashford earlier in the season after the star winger fell asleep and has warned young talent Alejandro Garnacho on multiple occasions for his attitude.

Ten Hag hopes his period of success can continue through the season finale when United travel to face top four competitors Newcastle on Sunday.

Top scorer Rashford is expected to be fit for the clash after missing the international break with England with injury, while Ten Hag also repressed criticism of striker Wout Weghorst.