Fans only just realising what Mark Hughes is really called with Man Utd and Chelsea icon going by middle name

MARK HUGHES will go down in history as one of Manchester United’s greatest ever players.

But that isn’t even his real name.

Mark Hughes is not actually called MarkRex

News Group Newspapers LtdThe former Manchester United striker struck fear into defenders[/caption]

The Welshman made an astonishing 358 appearances for United in two spells at the club.

The striker scored 132 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils and became feared in the top-flight for his instinctive one touch finishing and incredible strength on the ball.

He also made 72 appearances for Wales, scoring 16 goals after making his international debut in 1984.

Now, the silver-haired football legend can be seen patrolling the touchline at League Two side Bradford.

After four years in the managerial wilderness after being sacked by Southampton, the Yorkshire side took a punt on Hughes.

But ultimately the season ended in disappointment as the Bantams lost to Carlisle in the play-offs over two legs.

But Hughes has signalled his intention to stay on at the helm and try and finally drag the club out of the bottom division.

And now fans are only just realising that Mr Hughes is not really called Mark.

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His first name is actually LESLIE.

On embarking on his football career, Hughes decided to use his middle name – and that is how he will be forever known.

But despite Leslie appearing on his birth certificate, Hughes says it was always the intention to be known as “Mark”.

Speaking to FourFourTwo, the 59-year-old said: “I was always going to be Mark Leslie Hughes, but maybe it sounded better or looked better on the birth certificate as Leslie Mark Hughes.

“That’s the only reason, but I was always going to be Mark.”

Leslie was his father’s name.

Hughes also played for Chelsea, scoring 37 goals in 119 games, as well as for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Southampton, Everton and Blackburn.

And a fair number of fans are shocked at finding out the Welsh legend’s real name.

One wrote on Twitter: “Years ago I found an old copy of Match magazine in a newspaper agent who was selling off old stock.

“This was how I found out that Mark Hughes’ first name is actually Leslie.”

Others simply wrote “lol”, while another added: “Always makes me chuckle, knowing that Mark Hughes’ real name is Leslie.”

Rich Stone wrote: “Think of him as Mark Hughes back in the day and Leslie Hughes now.”

Another wrote: “Wait, what? Mark Hughes’ name is Leslie?”

Chris Hogg posted: “Mark Hughes’ first name is Leslie and he doesn’t strike me as a Leslie.”

Andy Thompson wrote: “I am so conflicted. Love Mark Hughes, don’t like Leslie Hughes. How about that as a way to get through this?”

Adam Fraiwald simply posted: “Three words. Leslie. Mark. Hughes.”

And former footballer Joey Barton clearly isn’t a fan of the manager he once played under at QPR and took a swipe at his real name.

He once revealed: “Mark Hughes was the worst manager I played under!

“His actual name is Leslie, he called himself Mark like a stage name. I used to refer to him as Leslie which he hates.

“So I used to walk in when we lost and shout “yous are s***e Leslie.”

News Group Newspapers LtdHughes also played for Chelsea after his two spells at Man Utd[/caption]

ReutersHughes played 72 times for Wales, scoring 16 goals[/caption]