Manchester City boss Mark Hughes says Robinho can be their answer to his former Manchester United teammate Eric Cantona.

"I think he can be as big an influence as Eric Cantona was at United when I played there," said Hughes. "He's a world star and very much in the loop regarding our big plans.

"I was at United when Eric was there and could see the influence he had on younger players like Paul Scholes. Robinho will do the same with our players because they all have egos and want to improve. Stephen Ireland is in the best form of his life and that happens as a consequence of bringing in top players like Robinho."