Hughes wants Man. City to rival neighbours United

New Manchester City manager Mark Hughes said he wanted the club to challenge at the highest level in England and Europe, and would consider signing Brazilian Ronaldinho if the opportunity arose.

The 44-year-old left Blackburn to sign a three-year contract at Eastlands as the replacement for Sven-Goran Eriksson and said he wanted to put the Premier League club on a par with city rivals United.

"At City, I am at a great club with a great fanbase and I want to take them to the very top table, both in this country and in Europe," he told a news conference yesterday.

"I knew there was a limit to how far I could take Blackburn, but I am now at a club that can match my ambitions."

Hughes was a long-serving striker for United and was seen as a potential successor to Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson when he eventually leaves the club.

The rivalry between the two clubs means moving to City could damage his chances of becoming United's manager, but Hughes insists his loyalty is now with the blue half of Manchester.

"If I am successful at Manchester City, then I don't need any stepping stone to anywhere else because this club is capable of being a top side," he said.

Hughes said he did not think his former association with United would cause ill will with the supporters.

"I am a professional football manager and I don't wear the United shirt anymore," he said.

"Fans will always voice their opinions, especially if results aren't positive, but I didn't just play for Manchester United and anybody who knows how I work will have no doubts about my commitment to bringing success to Manchester City."

Hughes also said he had not been contacted by managerless Chelsea before agreeing to take the post at Manchester City.