Signed by United as a shy 14-year-old schoolboy, Hughes was thrust into the limelight by scoring goals on his debut and collecting PFA awards within a year of making his debut.
However, a standoff over a new contract prompted him to seal a deal to join Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona, with the documentary showing the 72-cap Wales international admitting he was 'lying' as he watched his 22-year-old self say he was… He is looking forward to the move to join Terry Venables' team.
“I didn't have the confidence to say I wouldn't go,” he says, “and it continued and I found myself on a plane heading to Barcelona.”
He joined the 'Teal' revolution alongside Gary Lineker, whose success was in stark contrast to Hughes, who struggled to capitalize on his famous physicality in Spanish football.
Furthermore, this self-confessed introvert struggled to adapt to his new and very different surroundings.
“It was a difficult time for him,” Lineker says in the documentary. “Maybe there was a feeling at the time that you have to get on with it, you're a big star, deal with it.”
Hughes describes this as his lowest point, acknowledging the difficulty of dealing with the levels of criticism from the media and supporters in Spain.
Even a player with such a fearsome reputation admits: “When you have 90,000 spectators waving a white handkerchief, it's a bit difficult to bear.
“I faced a level of criticism that not many players faced at the time, certainly as a young player.”
Lineker reveals his role as an impromptu intermediary to help Hughes exit the club and return – after a loan spell at Bayern Munich – to United under Ferguson in 1988.
“The fans loved him,” says Ferguson, and the deal was dubbed the return of the prodigal son. “If I was a football fan, I would like to see players play with passion and determination like Mark did.”
Beckham, who said he stood in line for Hughes' signature as a young United fan, says his knack for scoring big goals in big games is why he continues to be respected at Old Trafford.
But Hughes laughs because not many people remember his foot pass to set up Mark Robins for Nottingham Forest's FA Cup third-round goal, the goal that is credited with keeping Fergie in his job.
Victory at Wembley clinched the European Cup Winners' Cup, and while Hughes says his memorable brace in the 1991 final against his former Spanish club was not out for revenge, Ferguson admits: “I think it was his pride – he was showing Barcelona exactly what “They were missing him.”
Legends of Welsh Sport: Mark Hughes is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Wales from Tuesday 7 January at 20:00 GMT and later on On Demand.
