Man Utd strength is on wingers
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Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes says Manchester United have rediscovered their championship form thanks to the re-introduction of wingers by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Hughes said: "I think there are similarities between this side and the one I was involved in - the one that first won the Premier League.
"We had flying wingers and they certainly have them.
"Facing two wingers causes you a problem because they are always a threat.
"They put that doubt in the back of your mind because they can go either way and penalise you.
"It is born out of the fact they have great confidence in the guys at the back. Those guys at the back are able to deal with one-against-one situations, break things up and then release the ball."
Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Andrei Kanchelskis were Alex Ferguson's wide boys 12 years ago - but Hughes can see more similarities with the 93-94 vintage.
He said: "The United side playing at the moment have so many variations. The angle of their passing really makes it a problem for opposition sides and their rotation of movement and interchanging allows them to pick you off.
"They have the bit between their teeth and they know they can go close. You can see that in their play.
"They have a decent enough squad - Sir Alex can rest players when he needs to.
"They have had a great start and if they can build on it like they usually do, it will be a good side that stops them from taking it."
On Cristiano Ronaldo, Hughes said: "Ronaldo is a big talent and that talent is working hard now. He knows his role in the team.
"When he first came into the side he was a young guy and people didn't make allowances for the fact he was still trying to learn the game.
"But now he knows the Premiership - and United know how to get the best out of him.
"I wasn't privy to what was said after the World Cup. But he has come back and has got his head completely focused on the job in hand - which is to try to get another Premier League title for Manchester United.
"There are a lot of guys in that team who will be thinking the same way."
Hughes said: "I think there are similarities between this side and the one I was involved in - the one that first won the Premier League.
"We had flying wingers and they certainly have them.
"Facing two wingers causes you a problem because they are always a threat.
"They put that doubt in the back of your mind because they can go either way and penalise you.
"It is born out of the fact they have great confidence in the guys at the back. Those guys at the back are able to deal with one-against-one situations, break things up and then release the ball."
Ryan Giggs, Lee Sharpe and Andrei Kanchelskis were Alex Ferguson's wide boys 12 years ago - but Hughes can see more similarities with the 93-94 vintage.
He said: "The United side playing at the moment have so many variations. The angle of their passing really makes it a problem for opposition sides and their rotation of movement and interchanging allows them to pick you off.
"They have the bit between their teeth and they know they can go close. You can see that in their play.
"They have a decent enough squad - Sir Alex can rest players when he needs to.
"They have had a great start and if they can build on it like they usually do, it will be a good side that stops them from taking it."
On Cristiano Ronaldo, Hughes said: "Ronaldo is a big talent and that talent is working hard now. He knows his role in the team.
"When he first came into the side he was a young guy and people didn't make allowances for the fact he was still trying to learn the game.
"But now he knows the Premiership - and United know how to get the best out of him.
"I wasn't privy to what was said after the World Cup. But he has come back and has got his head completely focused on the job in hand - which is to try to get another Premier League title for Manchester United.
"There are a lot of guys in that team who will be thinking the same way."
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