Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Mark Hughes is a great appointment for Manchester City.

He told the Daily Mail: "Sparky (Mark Hughes) is a great choice. He has left Blackburn at the right time because all the contracts are up next year. He's done his time there and it was time for him to move on. He's proved himself there."

Asked about the ownership situation at City, Sir Alex replied: "That's a different thing altogether. That's an issue. I've heard some unbelievable stories."

He continued: "Aye, you are going to get interference more and more from a manager's point of view. I think there are signs of that. I mean the guy who owns Hearts takes the team out to the manager."