Mark Hughes believes Bernd Schuster is "emotional" and "upset" after the Real Madrid coach launched a scathing attack on Robinho in the wake of his deadline day move to Eastlands.

Schuster claimed the Brazilian international had joined a "mediocre" club.

Further big name signings are expected at City in the January transfer window, with the club's prospective new owners setting ambitious targets of silverware at home and abroad.

Hughes believes Real are not used to losing their leading players, but they may have to accept his side are now challenging to be among Europe's heavyweights.

He told the Manchester Evening News: "Bernd is obviously a little bit emotional about the situation. He's lost one of his better players.

"No-one goes to a club like Real Madrid and takes their best players away without them being able to do anything about it. But we did and that was a real statement of our intent.

"Bernd is obviously going to be upset. And sometimes when players leave a club, managers feel they need to leave a little bit on those players to make themselves feel better and maybe that is what has happened at Real. I know for a fact that he didn't want to lose him.

"Robinho certainly doesn't think he has come to a club that is going to be mid-table for the next few years. He has come to a club that is going places.

"Maybe in a couple of years we will have forced Bernd to change his view. But deep down I think he knows what is happening here."