Manchester United legend considering future after semi-final heartbreak

Carlisle United, managed by former Manchester United striker and club legend Mark ‘Sparky’ Hughes, lost in their National League promotion playoff semi-final on Sunday.

It took a match-winner in extra time from opponents Boreham Wood to knock Hughes’s Carlisle out of the promotion race, after substitute Junior Luamba was sent off for a bad foul.

Despite Carlisle finishing third in the National League on 95 points, they have failed to reach the EFL, and it appears Hughes is set to consider his future.

Hughes was asked about what’s to come by BBC Radio Cumbria in a post-match interview.

“It’s all a bit raw at the moment, so there’s a few things I need to consider,“ Hughes admitted.

“But I’ve enjoyed everything that we’ve done here as a group. I think the staff have been outstanding, and the players have responded to that.

“So I’m grateful for that. The next few days will give everybody a bit of clarity, I’m sure.”

When asked the more direct question over why he may be debating whether to continue as Carlisle United boss, Hughes responded, “I don’t think I’ve said that. I haven’t had conversations with anybody in terms of my future.

“My understanding is there probably will be in the next couple of weeks.”

Hughes scored 116 goals in 353 appearances for Manchester United, earning himself legendary status at the club.

It appears his future in the National League is up in the air, with the Cumbrians missing out on the football league. The club spent one year in the top flight of English football in 1975, but it has been a gradual decline ever since.

At 62 years old, Hughes is brilliantly still going in his long career in football, but if he does decide to move on, his time at Carlisle could be his last hurrah in management.