MARK HUGHES believes Erik ten Hag is copying one key aspect of Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial approach to help turn Manchester United around.
The Dutchman took over at Old Trafford in the summer and, after a nightmare start, is helping transform the club.
Erik ten Hag has taken a leaf out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial book
United ended their six-year wait for a trophy by winning the League Cup in February and still have ambitions of winning the Europa League and FA Cup.
And there is growing hope that Ten Hag can take United back to the top of the English game again and compete for Premier League titles once more.
Ferguson led the club to a staggering 13 league crowns during his 26 years at the helm, often putting his no-nonsense approach into action with the infamous hairdryer treatment.
The first two of those, in 1993 and 1994, he had Welsh star Hughes in his team.
Now the Bradford manager is beginning to see small glimpses of Fergie’s success in the current Red Devils gaffer.
Hughes, 59, told the Mirror: “Erik ten Hag has come in and steadied the boat that was rocking from side to side.
“He’s going to need to have time and he’s done the initial part of dealing with the demand that was on him as the manager of the club, stabilising everything.
“He looks like he’s instilled discipline into the group and the club as whole.
“Playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, his standards for discipline and behaviour were strong, it was one of his mantras.
“It looks like Ten Hag has taken a little bit of that on board and it seems like he is a very straightforward and structured guy who just tells you as it is.
“Players can respond to that and maybe there were a few that were wavering or going on a different tangent – he’s managed to bring everyone together, which was required.
“I hope Manchester United sticks with Erik ten Hag.”
Ten Hag wasted no time in disciplining his players, joining them for 13km of extra running after the 4-0 humbling at Brentford.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Cristiano Ronaldo twice all received personal punishments from Ten Hag for various misdemeanours, including oversleeping, refusing to come on and that bombshell Piers Morgan interview.
And he has not been afraid to call out his players when required, including after the “unacceptable” 7-0 defeat at Liverpool.
Mark Hughes played under Ferguson, winning the Premier League twice
