Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is confident ex-Manchester United teammate Paul Ince can handle the flak he's copping at Blackburn Rovers.

Ince succeeded Hughes as Rovers manager this summer and the City boss says: "It's not something I've experienced. I think you get judged on being a professional manager rather than your ties with former clubs.

"I don't think that ever becomes an issue. The coach gets parked outside somebody's door from week to week. This week it's Paul's turn. Maybe next week it will be someone else."

Ince has found Hughes a hard act to follow. The former Wales manager took Blackburn into Europe twice and reached three domestic semi-finals.

Hughes said: "Paul is his own man and he'll get the job done. He's a successful manager.

"He's moulded teams and just needs to be given time. He has a great chairman. John Williams will always back his manager. That's a great thing to have."