Last time the pair met was last September, when Ferguson came out on top in an epic Manchester derby at Old Trafford when Michael Owen scored the winner six minutes into stoppage time.

By the end of the year, Hughes had been dumped as Blues chief, owner Sheikh Mansour not convinced the Welshman was capable of delivering a 70-point target set in pre-season.

But Ferguson does not believe that decision is any reflection on his former player.

"Mark does not need to justify his performance at Manchester City," said Ferguson.

"He did a good job there.

"The employer who hired him had left. It is a fact of life that new employers want their own man."

Ferguson will offer his best wishes but after that, the focus will be entirely concentrated on collecting three more points for Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

United have been beaten on their last two league outings by the River Thames, last term with a team ravaged by defensive injuries.

There are no such fears this time around though as Patrice Evra has recovered from a minor injury sustained in the victory over Newcastle on Monday.

That is part of a double dose of good news for United as Nemanja Vidic has committed his future to the Red Devils until 2014 after signing a new four-year contract.

The announcement puts an end to the intense debate that had swirled around the Serbian for over 18 months, with his future seemingly destined to be away from Old Trafford.

Although Vidic never gave any impression of knowing where the stories about his apparent discontent in Manchester had come from, they never went away and both AC Milan and Real Madrid were said to be showing an interest in the 28-year-old after the World Cup this summer.

However, United chief executive David Gill sprang a surprise during the club's pre-season tour of North America when he confirmed Vidic, who was not present, had agreed outline terms on a new contract.

The finishing touches have now been made, leaving Ferguson glad to have Vidic around until 2014.

"We are delighted Nemanja has committed his future to the club," he said.

"This kills all the silly speculation over the past few months.

"Nemanja has developed into one of the best centre-halves in Europe and we are pleased he will be here for many years to come."