Mark Hughes

I only remember early 90s Hughes when he was already past his peak, but still a good player. I don't consider him a legend but he scored some legendary goals, that one against Oldham was maybe the most I had ever celebrated a goal until the 99 CL final.

Hughes, Robson and Sharpe were my three favourite players of the pre Premier League era for us and Hughes second goal against Barca in the Cup Winners Cup final in 1991 is one of my all time top 5 most celebrated by myself goals ever, when he went round Zubizartetta and fired in from what looked an impossible angle I lost my mind.

Always popped up with important goals for us like the equaliser in the 1990 FA Cup final against Palace, the goals against Barca and the last second equaliser against Oldham in the FA Cup semi final in 1994 and was a leader on the pitch.

The volley against Oldham in the last minute, and the Barcelona game always sticks out for me.

I always remember when he got sent off for kicking someone in the balls. I can’t remember who.

Hughes and McClair were my boys when I was a kid, loved Sparky, had the biggest thighs in the world apparently from 1986 - 1990 and then Will Carling took the number one spot.

davidmichael said:

Hughes, Robson and Sharpe were my three favourite players of the pre Premier League era for us and Hughes second goal against Barca in the Cup Winners Cup final in 1991 is one of my all time top 5 most celebrated by myself goals ever, when he went round Zubizartetta and fired in from what looked an impossible angle I lost my mind.

Always popped up with important goals for us like the equaliser in the 1990 FA Cup final against Palace, the goals against Barca and the last second equaliser against Oldham in the FA Cup semi final in 1994 and was a leader on the pitch.

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This is always the first thing that pops into my head when I think of Hughes

my second favourite ever player (after Eric). His fa cup semi goal against Oldham in 94 is still probably my most orgasmic moment in football.

Remember his goal for Wales against Spain?

163 goals is legend worthy, definitely. Helped us win the first 2 PL's..

fergies coat said:

The volley against Oldham in the last minute, and the Barcelona game always sticks out for me.

I always remember when he got sent off for kicking someone in the balls. I can’t remember who.

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think it was Sheff Utd away in the green/gold kit. Cant believe there are people dismissing him a united great

Dans said:

Remember his goal for Wales against Spain?

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My word, what a goal He was definitely a scorer of phenomenal goals. He could absolutely leather the ball, my favourite kind of goal

Yes. Club legend for me.

So much so I can forgive his managerial career.

And that goal for Wales was something else.

True legend. Always carried the team with his spectacular goals and tackling . Would be bullied by no one . Amazing control with back against the opponents centre backs . And yes the biggest thighs .

He also could kick the hell out of defenders. I met him once when he played for Southampton against us at OT. He came out after everyone including the fans had gone away. He had driven himself to OT and parked the car in the car park in front of the Super Store.
He hit the post for Soton, one of those half volleys.
I said to him, " well played Sparky", he said thank you very much and patted on my shoulder and even gave me his autograph. Was polite.

Dressing room nickname was 'Nobody' if memory serves right.

fergies coat said:

The volley against Oldham in the last minute, and the Barcelona game always sticks out for me.

I always remember when he got sent off for kicking someone in the balls. I can’t remember who.

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David Tuttle of Sheffield United, at Bramall Lane. Think it was an F.A. Cup match that we lost 2-1. Loved Sparky as a player for us, he was an absolute warrior and a great player. Disliked him intensely as a third rate, bitter minded manager at many clubs.

fergies coat said:

The volley against Oldham in the last minute, and the Barcelona game always sticks out for me.

I always remember when he got sent off for kicking someone in the balls. I can’t remember who.

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It was against Sheffield Utd, he scored the winner then got sent off, it was Tuttle.

Random goal in a 5-0 thumping of Sheffield Wednesday in 1994:

A club legend no doubt. Scorer of important and spectacular goals with phenomenal hold up play. Also a United warrior. Him and Robson were the huge figures in the team at the time.

As a lad growing up Hughes' volleys were something you'd try to replicate.

I don't get bitter about his manager days, nothing can taint the legend status as a player. He's been a manager for decades now and can't come across soft when playing us to his clubs fans. If I recall he was complementary early on but as time goes on he has to battle for his clubs.

In the 6 months before he went to Barca he went off the boil because his mind was elsewhere. But for about 18 months before this he was quite rightly being talked about as one of the best players in the world at that time. At times he carried the whole team and was unplayable. If he had played in the Fergie era he would now be talked about in the same way as Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo; he was very good indeed.
However he never quite reached those heights of performance again either at Barca or when he returned. But remained a good player.

Club legend without any doubt, only those bitter about his career after us think otherwise.

Technically brilliant, could strike the ball as well as anybody, great focal point up front and hard as nails. Scored some truly amazing and important goals.

He was my first childhood hero, I started supporting Man Utd when Hughes was our main striker here. I still remember cheering him fior match where he scored a hat-trick for us.He was one of the best volley kicker I've ever seen too.

I have a scrapbook somewhere with pictures from the papers of his spectacular volleys. Hughes and Robbo were my two favourite players as a kid, so much so that all the lads on my terrace called me Sparky haha.

Of course he’s a United legend.

I met him at Old Trafford once. I must have been 10. He pulled down in some shitheap of a Land Rover Defender. Jumped out, went into the players entrance as if he was off to work. Scored that day too.

No nonsense. Ever. Tackled like a midfielder, made Fellaini’s chest look weak, great in the air, phenomenal volley at any and all heights and angles, wonderfully powerful shot. He was great.

Hughes/Cantona - enough said

My favourite ever United Player still to this day.

An absolute club legend.

Mark Hughes was one of the cornerstones of what a prototypical Manchester United player is supposed to be. There is nobody who watched him who can claim he wasn't a legend. He was a technical magician in terms of ball-striking technique. Indeed, in terms of volleying the ball, he is easily top #3 the English Division 1 or PL has ever seen (to my mind, only Le Tissier and Hoddle can hope to contest that with him), not even Scholes comes close, we're talking Van Basten level of volleying here. Anything coming towards him from any angle could be met with a superbly timed, athletic volley with either foot and he could also connect acrobatically, particularly with scissor kicks if needed.

He was also an enforcer for us who protected the youngsters and the weaker members of the team. Mark Hughes was a horrible, horrible footballer for opposing defenders both ruthless and fearless.

I'm not quite sure what caused his bitter turn against us as a manager. It really is a sad story, to that end, because he's stripped a lot of heartfelt love/support from those who don't know what he did for us as a player, and even from some of those that do. For me, personally, Hughes was one of my heroes growing up. The devil he had in him; the spectacular goals; the big game nature and the fact he was a protector and shield for those that needed it just summed up a magical player for us, to me.

It really is a shame how badly things have gone since the days he was a universal hero.

clarkydaz said:

Hughes/Cantona - enough said

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Just to add, cantona said hughes was the reason we scored the most goals in england

Brilliant player, I wish we had a player like that today but times have changed. My fav player of all time, hence the username!

Where do I start about Mark Hughes. There was the young Mark Hughes under Big Ron. He just didn't give a feck who he was up against. Hard as nails, awesome control and no one better then shielding the ball. His goals were all spectacular. (He was the reason why Ron Atkinson let Peter Beadsley go). My boyhood hero definitely. Was gutted when he went to Barcalona.

Then there was the return of Mark Hughes under Fergie. He again was the big game player. Scored when it mattered, again spectacular goals. He changed his game later on in his years, less selfish and releasing the ball quicker. He is a legend for the Club in my eyes as a player.

But has definitely tarnished his reputation with a lot of fans with his behaviour as a manger towards Utd. People say what else could he do as being the manager of another club. Well Robson, Bruce and even Ince didnt go that low as Hughes did.

I think he didn't want to leave United but Fergie or Martin Edwards fecked with his contact. It was up and United did not offer him anything and didn't even discuss it with him so he left for Chelsea and he was bitter about it. He felt United kicked him out. Then obviously he became manager at City and that's when it started going downhill mostly.

Has there been a better "volleyer" of the ball since Hughes? Struggling to come up with a name, Rooney was decent as was Ibra but I dont think they were at Hughes' level.

Foxbatt said:

I think he didn't want to leave United but Fergie or Martin Edwards fecked with his contact. It was up and United did not offer him anything and didn't even discuss it with him so he left for Chelsea and he was bitter about it. He felt United kicked him out. Then obviously he became manager at City and that's when it started going downhill mostly.

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Yes your right. He was definitely being pushed out of the club against his wishes. If memory serves me well, wasn't he supposed to leave a bit earlier to Everton, then he got injured at Newcastle. Think Utd Drew 1-1.

Fergie did say after he thought he let Hughes go too early.

Foxbatt said:

I think he didn't want to leave United but Fergie or Martin Edwards fecked with his contact. It was up and United did not offer him anything and didn't even discuss it with him so he left for Chelsea and he was bitter about it. He felt United kicked him out. Then obviously he became manager at City and that's when it started going downhill mostly.

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Again, he was among a group that Fergie felt would have disrupted his control over an emerging young and talented group.
Whatever you think of Fergie or Hughes, it was a ruthless move and the former wasn’t in it to be nice or make friends.

I think he is an underrated manager. He gets a lot of shit these days - but he has had a long and respectable career as a manager both in domestic and international football

If Hughes isn't a legend what do you have to do to be one ?

fergies coat said:

The volley against Oldham in the last minute, and the Barcelona game always sticks out for me.

I always remember when he got sent off for kicking someone in the balls. I can’t remember who.

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The Oldham volley. Incredible goal.

Ah Leslie Hughes, a one-man wrecking crew up top, but good enough to have played in midfield, unfairly labelled by some as only a big-match player.