Mark Hughes has dismissed as opportunists the pundits who try to “nail” players publicly. The Manchester City manager reacted with dismay, in particular, to Alan Hansen’s withering criticism of Wayne Bridge.

Hansen, the former Liverpool defender, tore into Bridge for his poor performance during City’s 3-3 draw at home to Burnley on Saturday.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Hansen claimed that Bridge deserved “minus 6 out of 10” and was “that bad I just feel sorry him” after the left back’s blunders contributed to all three of Burnley’s goals.

But while Hughes accepts that Bridge struggled and that “sometimes you have to hold your hands up”, the City manager has taken exception to Hansen’s comments.

“Pundits on Match of the Day, or whatever, just have an opportunity to nail individuals in the public domain,” Hughes said. “But we’re not going to do that because that’s not what we’re about. We look to analyse our mistakes and make sure, in future, we are better in similar situations. We won’t single out individual players. That job is done by pundits.

“We are under more scrutiny than any previous Manchester City team, but it’s open to debate as to whether we are scrutinised more than Manchester United, Chelsea or whoever. We have to deal with it. If we don’t win, we are open to criticism.”

With the majority of his players, Bridge included, on international duty, Hughes took a makeshift squad to Abu Dhabi yesterday before a friendly against the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, although Wales may not have been best pleased to see that Craig Bellamy, their captain, was among the travelling party.

Hughes said that City had informed Wales that Bellamy would not be available for their friendly match against Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday because of a minor groin injury, but the City manager believes the striker may have to restrict his international involvement to competitive matches to prolong his club career.

Bellamy said recently that he may have to retire from international football if City qualify for the Champions League.