Mark Hughes gets League Two relegation lifeline from ex-Man United teammates in debut
Mark Hughes received a helping hand from his former Manchester United teammates despite a debut defeat as Carlisle United boss. Hughes was announced as the new head coach of League Two side Carlisle on Wednesday after they sacked Mike Williamson. Hughes suffered a defeat in his first match as Carlisle bossGetty The former United and Chelsea forward has previously managed sides including Manchester City and the Welsh national team. However, he has taken on a new challenge at a Carlisle outfit who are rock bottom of the League Two table. Hughes made his touchline debut for the Cumbrians on Saturday in their trip to Grimsby Town and oversaw an excellent start. Captain Sam Lavelle opened the scoring with five minutes played, but a second half collapse saw Carlisle squander their lead. Grimsby completed the turnaround to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Justin Obikwu and Danny Rose, who scored an 83rd minute penalty. It’s a result that keeps Carlisle 24th in the League Two relegation zone and five points adrift of safety. However, their survival hopes may have been slightly boosted despite defeat thanks to Salford City’s 2-0 win over Tranmere Rovers. Salford are playing in their sixth consecutive season in the fourth tier since their National League promotion that followed a 2014 takeover. Their owners are well-known for being part of United’s iconic Class of ’92 – Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. David Beckham also has a ten per cent share of the club, with all six players featuring alongside Hughes during their United careers. Salford, who played City in the FA Cup this season, beat their relegation rivalsGetty The Class of ’92 are owners of the League Two sideGetty A Salford defeat would have seen Tranmere, who sit in the last safety spot in League Two, extend their gap over Carlisle to eight points. But this season’s fight to avoid relegation to the National League is far from over. Morecambe, who lost 2-0 to Notts County on Saturday, are only two points above Carlisle in 23rd. Hughes’ side have a game in hand over the Shrimps so can edge closer to safety, although Tranmere have also played one game less. Following their defeat to Grimsby, ‘Sparky’ admitted there was a ‘naivety’ about parts of Carlisle’s game. “Fundamentally, as an away team coming to a really difficult place, we’ve done okay and on another day we certainly would have got a positive result,” said Hughes. Hughes played alongside the United legends during his careerGetty “The lads are disappointed once again, those are the scars that we’re taking too readily this season unfortunately. “I’m more encouraged by their application, and how they were able to affect the opposition as well, and stay in the game so let’s hope they build on that. “I just felt there was a performance of good energy and a group of guys that were trying to implement what the new management team has tried to put into them in just 48 hours or so. “So, I thought it was good effort in that regard. We had the bonus of taking the lead, which gave us some encouragement and validation. “But Grimsby are a good side here. They’ve got a lot of energy, two good frontmen, and a lot of power and pace in the middle of the park as well. “And on occasion, that was a problem for us, but I thought the effort and the energy of the players was there for everybody to see. I’m encouraged. “I feel there’s more to come. We can obviously have more time with the group and bring the better elements that we certainly showed today, more to the fore on more regular occasions.” Luckily for the 61-year-old, he won’t have to wait too long for his next opportunity to get off the mark at Carlisle. Carlisle are edging closer to dropping out of the EFLGetty The Cumbrians are back in League Two action on Tuesday as they travel to 17th-placed Newport County. Newport will go into the fixture brimming with confidence having won their last three matches, the latest being a 3-0 win away to play-off contenders Crewe Alexandra.
Mark Hughes received a helping hand from his former Manchester United teammates despite a debut defeat as Carlisle United boss.
Hughes was announced as the new head coach of League Two side Carlisle on Wednesday after they sacked Mike Williamson.
The former United and Chelsea forward has previously managed sides including Manchester City and the Welsh national team.
However, he has taken on a new challenge at a Carlisle outfit who are rock bottom of the League Two table.
Hughes made his touchline debut for the Cumbrians on Saturday in their trip to Grimsby Town and oversaw an excellent start.
Captain Sam Lavelle opened the scoring with five minutes played, but a second half collapse saw Carlisle squander their lead.
Grimsby completed the turnaround to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Justin Obikwu and Danny Rose, who scored an 83rd minute penalty.
It’s a result that keeps Carlisle 24th in the League Two relegation zone and five points adrift of safety.
However, their survival hopes may have been slightly boosted despite defeat thanks to Salford City’s 2-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.
Salford are playing in their sixth consecutive season in the fourth tier since their National League promotion that followed a 2014 takeover.
Their owners are well-known for being part of United’s iconic Class of ’92 – Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
David Beckham also has a ten per cent share of the club, with all six players featuring alongside Hughes during their United careers.
A Salford defeat would have seen Tranmere, who sit in the last safety spot in League Two, extend their gap over Carlisle to eight points.
But this season’s fight to avoid relegation to the National League is far from over.
Morecambe, who lost 2-0 to Notts County on Saturday, are only two points above Carlisle in 23rd.
Hughes’ side have a game in hand over the Shrimps so can edge closer to safety, although Tranmere have also played one game less.
Following their defeat to Grimsby, ‘Sparky’ admitted there was a ‘naivety’ about parts of Carlisle’s game.
“Fundamentally, as an away team coming to a really difficult place, we’ve done okay and on another day we certainly would have got a positive result,” said Hughes.
“The lads are disappointed once again, those are the scars that we’re taking too readily this season unfortunately.
“I’m more encouraged by their application, and how they were able to affect the opposition as well, and stay in the game so let’s hope they build on that.
“I just felt there was a performance of good energy and a group of guys that were trying to implement what the new management team has tried to put into them in just 48 hours or so.
“So, I thought it was good effort in that regard. We had the bonus of taking the lead, which gave us some encouragement and validation.
“But Grimsby are a good side here. They’ve got a lot of energy, two good frontmen, and a lot of power and pace in the middle of the park as well.
“And on occasion, that was a problem for us, but I thought the effort and the energy of the players was there for everybody to see. I’m encouraged.
“I feel there’s more to come. We can obviously have more time with the group and bring the better elements that we certainly showed today, more to the fore on more regular occasions.”
Luckily for the 61-year-old, he won’t have to wait too long for his next opportunity to get off the mark at Carlisle.
The Cumbrians are back in League Two action on Tuesday as they travel to 17th-placed Newport County.
Newport will go into the fixture brimming with confidence having won their last three matches, the latest being a 3-0 win away to play-off contenders Crewe Alexandra.
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