HUGHES BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Hughes - set to meet owners.

Mark Hughes will meet Man City's mega-rich owners next month as he builds to take on the best.

The Light Blues are the new rich kids on the block thanks to the takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group last month.

This facilitated City signing Brazilian ace Robinho for a British record £32.5 million on transfer deadline-day.

And Hughes is set to fly out to the Middle East to meet up with new chairman Khaldoon Al Maburak next month to plot more of the same for the January transfer window.

He told the News of the World: "In the November break, there will be a chance to go over and put our plans and needs to the Abu Dhabi Group.

"We hope we will be able to spend in January. Situations may develop and players become available we thought weren't - like with Robinho."

Hughes has also sprung to the defence of City's new owners, insisting they are not bad for the game.

He believes their cash can help City break into the top four.

The City boss told the Sunday Mirror: "I refute the suggestions that what has happened to Manchester City is bad for the game.

"The Premier League prides itself on being competitive. One of its strengths is that four teams can win the title, unlike many countries where one or two clubs dominate.

"We are hoping to join that elite and if we do that then the Premier League and English football will only prosper.

"The new owners at City are business people. They don't expect things to happen overnight.

"They are in it for the long term - that's why they are so successful in business. They want to build Manchester City so that we can achieve sustainable success.

"The top four have had it their own way for a long time and we intend to change that.

"It might not happen this season, or even next season, but it will happen."