Hughes learns lessons

City boss aims to take his side to United's level

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 1st December 2008

Hughes learns lessons

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes admitted that he learned many lessons during Sunday's 1-0 derby day defeat to Manchester United.

Despite the defeat, City enjoyed a successful week after overcoming tough tests against Arsenal and Schalke away in the Uefa Cup last Thursday.

It is here that Hughes saw the biggest difference between the two Manchester clubs. While Sir Alex Ferguson may have the luxury of rotating his players and keeping them fresh Hughes does not.

The City boss used the same players who had travelled to Germany just three days before and even sent star striker Robinho out with a painkilling injection in his ankle.

Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta was another who had to go out patched up as he played through the pain of a thigh injury.

Despite the defeat Hughes remained upbeat and insisted that his side should want all their weeks to be like the one they have just participated in.

He said: "We hope to get used to big weeks like this. United have that experience over many years but in those terms, we are still very young.

"When I was at Blackburn I found how much of a negative impact playing Thursday-Sunday can have and it has happened again."

Challenge

Hughes knows that he does not just have to build a strong first XI - something he is not far off at the moment - but build a squad that can gain points three times a week for a full season.

He added: "Look at the side United had out. They have huge experience, both in European and Premier League terms and also in winning trophies.

"In comparison our experience in those categories is much less. That is where we are at the moment. We expect that. It is not going to happen overnight."

While Hughes had talented youngster Daniel Sturridge to summon from the bench during the derby, their rivals had £30million rated Carlos Tevez and it is this fierce competition for places that the City boss wants for his side.

Hughes is tipped to move for his former Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra in the January transfer window and the ex-Rovers manager is expecting a busy month.

He said: "I will try and add to the quality in the squad next month. But United have been building for a long time and they are building from a position of strength.

"They are at the top of the pile and they will look to strengthen even further."