Alex Ferguson has branded Manchester City’s handling of Mark Hughes dismissal as “unacceptable”.

The former Manchester United striker was sacked immediately after last Saturday’s victory over Sunderland, even though it had been common knowledge throughout the day that his time as Blues chief was up.

City have come under fire this week for the whole way they have gone about installing Roberto Mancini as Hughes’ successor.

Blues chief executive Garry Cook has attempted to defend his position, although that has managed only to draw more ire from his club’s interrogators.

And Ferguson feels Cook is trying to defend the indefensible.

“It is so obvious that kind of behaviour is not acceptable,” said the United boss. “It doesn’t matter whether you have lost 20 games or two, there is a way to treat people.

“For some reason Christmas seems to bring out the worst in directors. I do not know how you can do something like that.”

Ferguson was one of the first to phone Hughes, having also spoken with another former player, Steve Bruce, who had instantly defended his old team-mate on Saturday evening.

“To be sitting throughout the game knowing there was something going on was terrible,” said Ferguson.

“I spoke to Mark the next day and I could tell he was suffering. Steve Bruce felt that as well.

“On Saturday the rumour mill was working overtime and Mark obviously realised it was his last game. It was a terrible position to be in.”

Having been part of the double-winning 1994 side that Ferguson regards as the most mentally strong of his time at United, the Scot was not surprised that Bruce was so quick to leap in on Hughes’ behalf.

To Ferguson’s mind, it showed a loyalty that City so sadly lacked.

“In the game of football you have disputes with managers from time to time,” he reflected. “But what Steve did was defend an old team-mate. That great team of 1994 stood by each other. Their loyalty to each other was fantastic. That team would fight the devil together.

“It was as if Steve was saying: ‘That is my team-mate you are talking about’.

“I was really proud of him. I thought he did fantastic. And Mark really appreciated it.

“He sees that kind of loyalty, which he didn’t get from City from one of his old team-mates.”

Instead of looking ahead to a St Stephen’s Day encounter with Stoke, Hughes has the consolation of spending Christmas at home with his family.

Having spent so much time in Abu Dhabi recently, it may come as a welcome relief.

However, despite Bruce’s fears the dismissal will put British coaches off pursuing a career in the management, Ferguson is sure Hughes will quickly recover from his first sacking — after leaving his jobs with Wales and Blackburn of his own accord.

And, such is his track record, the United manager does not expect the former striker to be out of work for long.

“Mark will bounce back,” said Ferguson. “He did a great job with Wales, which was not easy.

“At the time they did not have all these fantastic young players coming through the system that they have now.

“He did a good job for Blackburn and, as everyone thought at the time, he was the right man for Manchester City. He will be alright. I am sure of that.”