As Rovers head to Old Trafford on Sunday, Aussie Emerton said: "Going back and doing well means a lot to the boss. He tries to treat every game the same but deep down you can see it's special for him.

"He's doing a great job at this club - it's no wonder people mention him as the man who will one day succeed Alex Ferguson. The better we play, and the more they are going to talk.

"The last thing we want is to lose him but if he went there I have no doubt he would carry on the club's amazing success.

"I worked under Guus Hiddink with Australia and everybody knows how good he is. Well, I believe Mark Hughes is also right up there," he told the Mirror