FEW people were more surprised than David May when Mark Hughes made the move into management.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United defender says Hughes didn't reveal the managerial characteristics of counterparts such as Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson in the Old Trafford dressing room.

But May admits no-one can deny the impact his ex team-mate has made at Blackburn Rovers.

"Sparky did a brilliant job with the Wales squad then came in to Blackburn, set his stall out and I think he has done fantastically well," he said.

"I'm not surprised he has done well, but he was one of the players I least thought would go into management.

"As a player, I didn't think he was the type.

"But he deserves everything he's got because he's a very likeable person and I'm sure, in the return leg, he will get a fantastic response as he did in the league game."

However, after one of Hughes' best kept secrets was revealed this week, it remains to be seen what sort of reaction he will get from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

"After 10 or 12 years it came out in the papers this week that Mark coined the phrase The Hairdryer'," May smiled.

"Sir Alex will probably have found out about that after all this time but I'm sure he will have taken it well. There'll probably be a bit of banter about it at the game.

"Sparky was a fantastic servant for United and they have so much respect for each other."

But for 90 minutes tonight, then at least another 90 in two weeks' time, respect and friendship will be put to one side as Rovers and United battle for a place in this season's Carling Cup final.

And May acknowledges that this tie isn't the foregone conclusion it perhaps was a few seasons ago thanks to Hughes' intervention.

"It will take something special to win this game," the 35-year-old said.

"I think if Sir Alex can take them back to Old Trafford with a draw, or something better, he will be delighted with that.

"Blackburn played really well there earlier in the season and deserved to win it, so the United lads will be looking at that and thinking it's not going to be easy'.

"There's been a lot of instability at Blackburn with different managers.

"But Sparky has taken players that perhaps weren't doing so well at other clubs and he's brought them on leaps and bounds.

"Craig Bellamy and Robbie Savage have done really well.

"He has brought the best out of them and he has got the full backing of the team and the supporters.

"I'm chuffed to bits for him and Blackburn."

He added: "Tugay is a fantastic player in midfield, Pedersen scored two against United and the pace of Bellamy up front is a real asset.

"They are defending well, too, so it will be difficult for United to create anything."

And while May admitted his general allegiances lie with Manchester United after nine years with the club, it's the team he joined as a trainee in 1988 that he is backing tonight.

"Truthfully, I would like Blackburn to win because of the years I had there. Although I don't think there's anyone there now that I know from when I played there," he said.

"The good thing for me is that one of my ex-teams is going to get to Cardiff again. And it's great that there are three north west teams still in the competition at the semi-final stage.

"Chelsea have run away with the Premiership title again, but it reminds the southerners that this is the strongest area for football."