MARK Hughes has escaped the heat of a crucial Premier League season to bask in the warmth of an Abu Dhabi welcome.

And the Blues boss, coming under some fire for his side's run of five straight draws, says that the club's owners and chairman Khaldoon al Mubarak are more understanding of the need for patience than the critics.

Hughes has blasted back at scathing criticism of his team's defending in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Burnley, principally from `Match of the Day' pundit Alan Hansen.

And he stresses that al Mubarak and owner Sheikh Mansour are fully aware that the transformation of the club will not happen overnight, or even in the space of one season.

"It has been evident in the year that we have worked together that this is a long-term plan," said Hughes after arriving in Abu Dhabi.

"It is not going to happen overnight. The owners are very understanding of that. It is not something that is going to be changed in a short timespan."

Fallen
The Blues have fallen back to sixth place, albeit with a game in hand of teams ahead of them, after a stunning start to the season which has also seen them reach the Carling Cup quarter-finals.

And Hughes says the owners have indicated that they are more than happy with that achievement.

"They are excited by how far we have progressed in a short space of time," he said. "But they know it is a long-term thing. We have put things in place to ensure we have success in future."

Hughes and other City officials will meet Sheikh Mansour during the trip, as the owner will see his team in action for the first time.

But the manager says his point of contact is al Mubarak. "I have more contact with chairman Khaldoon - we talk on a weekly basis," he explained.

"We meet up when he comes over to Manchester. I enjoy the relationship I have with him. He is very passionate about the club. It is going well."

The criticism, Hughes insists, is all coming from outside the club. He was unhappy with some of the comments, aimed at Wayne Bridge and Joleon Lescott in particular after Saturday's poor defensive display.

"Whenever goals are conceded or there are elements of our play that are poor, people in the media will highlight it because that is their job," he said.

Critics

" I am not in the business of criticising people in public. It would completely be the wrong thing to do.

"Other people have that platform and there are no consequences if they do. I am not going to do that.

"We are very clear in the areas where we need to improve. That is self-evident. The fact people have to highlight certain players, so be it, that is part of the job they do.

"We have to make sure we take on board any valid criticism. But we are our own harshest critics. We don't need people from the outside to highlight things we are well aware of ourselves."

Hughes has taken a young squad to Abu Dhabi for tomorrow afternoon's friendly against the United Arab Emirates, bolstered by Stevie Ireland, Michael Johnson, Sylvinho, Nedum Onuoha, Javier Garrido, Pablo Zabaleta, Benjani and Stuart Taylor.

Robinho and Craig Bellamy are also with the party, staying at the stunning Emirates Palace Hotel, but will not play after withdrawing from their national squads with injury.

Hughes is relishing the chance of a break away from the rain and cold of Carrington, and hopes that a few batteries will be recharged ahead of the November 21 trip to Liverpool.

"It not only helps the physical side but the mental one as well," he said.

"When you get an opportunity, you have to take it and get the maximum benefit from it."

CITY are set to sign a three-year sponsorship deal with Middle East telecommuni- cations giant Etisalat.

A preliminary agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi.