Ronaldinho, the Brazil playmaker, has revealed just how close he came to joining Manchester City during the summer. Garry Cook, the City executive chairman, spent months trying to broker a deal with Roberto de Assis Moreira, Ronaldinho's brother and agent, before the former World Player of the Year decided to move to AC Milan from Barcelona.

“My brother spoke to Man City many times,” Ronaldinho, 28, told FourFourTwo magazine. “Their project is the kind that would interest any player - they could soon be among the best sides in England. Lots of brilliant players are heading in their direction and yes, my brother looked properly at their offer. But Silvio Berlusconi [the Milan owner] had been saying for years that he would like to sign me and I felt in the end that it was the right time to say yes.”

Robinho, his compatriot, stunned the football world by leaving Real Madrid to join City in a British-record £34.2million deal on September 1 and accused City this week of having “the mentality of a small side”, but Mark Hughes, the manager, will not discipline the forward over his remarks.

Speaking before the team's Uefa Cup group A match at home to Paris Saint-Germain this evening, Hughes agreed with the Brazilian's constructive assessment and said: “That's what we all have to do [raise standards and aspire higher],” Hughes said. “We are trying to build for the future. Every day we are getting the message over that it's a different club in the future.”

City have already qualified for the round of 32 after winning their opening group matches against Twente and Schalke 04, so Hughes is likely to use this evening's game to look at some of his fringe players, especially because Robinho, Micah Richards and Shaun Wright-Phillips are expected to be missing through injury.

Hughes could hand a rare start to Jô, the Brazil striker who has struggled since joining City in a projected £19million deal from CSKA Moscow during the summer. The City manager ruled out the possibility yesterday of sending Jô out on loan and backed him to come good after a run of only three goals in 13 matches. “Jô will get games, that's what he needs,” Hughes said. “It's a big learning curve. He's got this languid style but many players over the years have had a style not as dynamic as others. He'll be fine.”

Manchester City (possible; 4-4-2): K Schmeichel - N Onuoha, T Ben-Haim, R Dunne, M Ball - Elano, V Kompany, D Hamann, S Ireland - Jô, D Sturridge.

Paris Saint-Germain (possible; 4-3-3): M Landreau - Ceará, S Traoré, M Sakho, S Armand - Y Sankhare, G Bourillon, J Rothen - F Pancrate, M Kezman, P Luyindula.

Referee: BM Duarte Paixão (Portugal).

Television: Live on ITV4 from 7pm (kick-off 7.45pm)