Mark Hughes - Manchester United Legend
During an illustrious playing career, especially with Manchester United, Mark Hughes, or sparky as he was nicknamed took up playing spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Everton as well as winning 72 caps for Wales, before retiring from the playing side of the game in 2002. During his career he won many accolades and medals including two Premier League titles, four F.A. Cups, three League Cups and two European Cup Winners' Cups, as well as becoming the first footballer to win two PFA Players' Player of the Year awards. In life after playing Mark Hughes became the Welsh national team coach in 1999 a role which he held for 5 years and later taking to the helm at Blackburn Rovers and United's arch rivals Manchester City. Hughes joined Manchester United on leaving school at the tender age of 17, but had to wait three years to make his senior debut for The Reds, doing so when coming on as a sub for Norman Whiteside in a 2-0 League Cup victory over Port Vale at Old Trafford on 26 October 1983. On 7 December 1983 the striker started his first game for United in a 1-1 League Cup draw against Oxford United, and became an instant hero as he netted the equaliser. In his fledgeling season at The folowing season Mark Hughes established himself as a first team regular after a forming a good strike partnership with Irishman Frank Stapleton and was an instrumental figure in the team's 1-0 F.A. Cup final victory over Everton in 1985. He finished his first full season with an impessive haul of 25 goals. The following season as he finished with a tally of 17 league goals the young striker caught the attention of then Barcelona manager Terry Venables, who wanted to partner Hughes with Gary Lineker. Unfortunately after a £2m move things didn't work out for the Welshman and he was quickly loaned out to German giants Bayern Munich where he netted 6 goals in 18 games. In May 1988 new Manchester United manager In his first season back in England Mark Hughes picked up the PFA Players' Player of the Year accolade, despite Manchester United finishing a lowly 11th place in the First Division. A year later he helped Manchester United go from strength, to strength as he netted twice in the club's 3-3 F.A. Cup draw against Crystal Palace, United subsequently went on to win the replay 1-0. Although Mark Hughes' strike record was not particularly prolific he was noted for his spectacular and important goals, a billing he lived up to the following season in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup against old club Barcelona in Rotterdam. In a rainy night in Holland the Welsh striker netted both United's goals in a famous 2-1 victory. That season he became the first player to pick up the PFA Players' Player of the year accolade thanks to his exploits in Rotterdam and his 21 gooal season haul. The following season Mark Hughes annd Manchester United suffered heartache, as they were pipped by fierce rivals Leeds United to the First Division title on the last day of the season. However the anguish was slightly tempered when the player picked up his first of three career League Cups, with three different clubs. At the end of the 1992-93 the Mark Hughes had a smile on his face as United finally ended their 26 year wait to win the League title when they pipped Aston Villa to the crown, the following season the player went one better by helping The Reds win the League and F.A. Cup double, even scoring in the 4-1 final victory over Chelsea at Wembley stadium. The 1994-95 season proved to be last at Manchester United for Mark Hughes after the club missed out on both the F.A. Cup and League title. Manager
Mark Hughes moved to Stamford Bridge in a £1.5m deal where he enjoyed quite a bit success in the twilight of his career, as he struck up a good partnership with diminutive Italian forward Gianfranco Zola. During his time with "Kings of the Kings Road" he scored 39 goals in 123 appearances and picked up one F.A. Cup, one League Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1998. In July 1998 the striker was transfered to Southampton for a fee of £650,000. During his spell with Southampton the goals began to dry up for the player and he was given a midfield role by The Saints manager Dave Jones, a move which proved quite costly on the discipline front as the combative former striker picked up an incredivle 14 yellow cards in his first season. After helping Southampton ovoid relegation Hughes left the club to join Everton and then Blackburn Rovers, a club he would later go on to manage. After Mark Hughes hung up his boots he managed Wales (he managed Wales while still playing for Southampton, Everton and Blackburn Rovers), Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City. Mark Hughes Honours Manchester United Chelsea Blackburn Rovers Personal Honours From Mark Hughes, to Manchester United football legends Manchester United Fans Site home |
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