Mark Hughes impressed by Louis van Gaal impact

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has admitted that he is impressed by Louis van Gaal's impact at Manchester United.

Following a disastrous 2013-14 campaign under David Moyes, the Red Devils have been on an upward curve since the Dutchman arrived in the summer.

United currently sit in third place in the Premier League table thanks to a nine-game unbeaten run.

Ahead of tomorrow's encounter between the teams at the Britannia Stadium, Hughes has claimed that Van Gaal is the right man to lead the club forward in the future.

"He seems to be the right figurehead for the club," he told Stoke's official website. "He's a guy that you sense they need given that last season was a time of transition for them. They are still going through that process to a certain extent so they need a strong person at the head of the club and he certainly gives that impression to everybody."

Stoke head into tomorrow's game with United in 11th place in the standings.