Manchester City boss Mark Hughes is facing a battle of wills with Brazilian pair Robinho and Elano.

The Daily Mail says Hughes' relationships with his Brazilian stars, the £34million Robinho and the temperamental Elano, are becoming increasingly difficult - a significant obstacle as he tries to impress City's owners in Abu Dhabi.

Elano has long been viewed as a troublemaker by Hughes and sources close to the 27-year-old midfielder have stated recently that the player has no love for his manager.

Hughes' relationship with Robinho is better than that and he hopes he can coax some more consistent form from the club's record signing.

But Elano's influence on his countryman would appear to be growing and that is a much greater problem.

Robinho has recovered from the thigh injury that forced him from the field at Fratton Park and joined the City party on the plane to Denmark wearing white trainers with his club suit but no tie.

While the 25-year-old striker is not the first footballer to add his own interpretation to a formal dress code, it does perhaps provide an insight into Hughes' problem.