FORMER Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United star David May believes Mark Hughes has that crucial 'winning desire' to one day take over from Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.

May played under Ferguson and alongside Hughes in a glittering 10-year career at United so has the perfect insight into the two managers who lock horns tomorrow.

And he believes Hughes, the student, could eventually follow in the footsteps of Fergie the master.

"Mark has definitely learnt a lot from Fergie when they were at United together," said May, who won five league titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League medal while at Old Trafford. "Mark is turning out to be a very good young manager and I could see him in charge at Manchester United some time in the future."

May, who launched his career at Ewood Park, says he has never met anyone so hungry to succeed as Fergie -- but he reckons Hughes also has that fire in his belly to win.

"Fergie is the main man when it comes to wanting to succeed and he is probably just as hungry to win now as he was the day he walked in to the job.

"But Mark was a winner as a player and he has that same winning desire to succeed as a manager."

While Hughes appears to have more of a laid-back approach compared to Fergie's famous firey temperament, May said it doesn't mean he lacks passion.

May was often on the receiving end of the 'hair dryer' treatment and remembers the first time he got a blasting from Fergie.

"It was after my seventh or eighth game for United when we had lost at Leeds. Fergie came in to the dressing room and gave me a right rollicking. He singled me out and it was a real shock to the system but it taught me a lesson."

He added: "Fergie's rants were famous but the players weren't scared of him, they just gave him the utmost respect."

May believes Hughes is now commanding his own respect at Rovers after taking over from Graeme Souness in September.

"Mark is very different to Fergie in that respect but I have been very impressed in the way he has turned things around at Ewood Park. It took him a while to settle but he has turned Rovers from a relegation threatened side to one that is now virtually safe and in the semi finals of the FA Cup.

"

May played with Hughes while at United and against him as a Rovers player and he knows which one he preferred.

"I never liked playing against Mark because he was always a handful. He is definitely a player you wanted in your side because there was no-one better at leading the line."

May will be sitting firmly on the fence when the two teams clash at Old Trafford tomorrow.

"I can't really pick either team," said the Oldham-born defender. "Blackburn Rovers helped launch my career for which I am very grateful while United gave me the chance to win all my medals."

But whatever the outcome, May will be watching with interest as Hughes and Ferguson pit their wits against each other.