Manchester City's owners have reportedly told manager Manuel Pellegrini that they expect him to lead the team to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The club's owner Sheikh Mansour is believed to have stated that he wants City to improve on last season's attempts, which ended in a last-16 defeat to Barcelona.

According to the Daily Star, the club have informed Pellegrini that while they do not expect City to win the elite trophy this season, they think that a final-eight place is reasonable.

City have earned just one point from their opening two group games in the competition.