No return to United as Hughes stays put with Welsh

Mark Hughes ruled out leaving his role as Welsh manager to become Manchester United's assistant coach.

The 39-year-old is contracted to the Wales job till 2006 and is on the brink of becoming the first manager to guide them to a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup as they stand top of their Euro 2004 qualifying group with four wins from four which included a stunning victory over Italy.

However, former United number two and newly-installed Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiroz told Sunday's News of the World that Hughes - who had two successful spells as a player at United - was top of manager Alex Ferguson's list to fill the vacancy.

Hughes, though, told BBC Sport he had not been approached about the job.

"It was a surprise to me over the weekend. I don't know where the story originated from," Hughes told BBC Sport.

"I certainly haven't had any conversations with anybody at Manchester United."

"Everybody knows about my connections with Manchester United. I had wonderful times there, so I think when positions become vacant people assume that I get mentioned.

"It's very flattering and shows how Wales and maybe myself are viewed.

"Possibly 18 months ago I wouldn't have been mentioned in the terms of taking a job of that position.

"It's nice from that point of view, but as I've said I've had no contact from Manchester United and I don't anticipate any either."

However Hughes - who won the now defunct Cup Winners Cup with United during his career there - wouldn't say whether he would accept the post if it was offered and had not contemplated doing both jobs.

His assistant Mark Bowen had to make the choice last season between staying with Wales or remaining as number two to Steve Bruce at Birmingham.

In the end, despite Hughes and Bruce being former team-mates at United, he was unable to stop him forcing Bowen to cut back on his role with the national side.

Wales are heading towards a crucial period in their Group Nine qualifying campaign, starting with an away game against Serbia-Montenegro on 20 August.

Hughes insisted that the United link would not affect him or his squad.

"We're coming up to a very important period and we're all focused on the job in hand."