MELBOURNE City have received a withering assessment of their A-League campaign right from the top of City Football Group, with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak questioning the character of the current squad.

Although the club won their first title with the 2016 FFA Cup, their season derailed with the departure of John van ‘t Schip, and the club limped out in the first week of the finals against Perth with interim boss Michael Valkanis in charge.

When asked if Melbourne City are where he wants them to be at the moment, Al Mubarak bluntly told a Manchester City produced interview: “No, they’re not.

“Melbourne won the first trophy for this club which is an achievement in itself and I am proud of that, it’s an important step for us.

“But the way they ended their season was disappointing.

“I think it’s about the need for the right character in that team.

Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Manchester City chairman (L). Source: Getty Images

He added: “It’s about achieving that consistency across the whole (City) group in terms of character, personality and commitment.

“The results in sports, in football, will sometimes happen, sometimes they won’t . That’s just sports.

“What shouldn’t happen is not giving 100%.

“That is what I expect in every team in the City Football Group. Us performing at the highest level we can, and try have the consistency in terms of the quality and mannerism and character across the board.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (C) and China's President Xi Jinping with Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak during a visit to the City Football Academy. Source: Getty Images

“With that, we’re going to have results, trophies in some places, no results, no trophies in some places, but at least we’ll be consistent in that way.

“I hope in Melbourne next season we come back strong, and with a stronger character.”

Al Mubarak praised the work being done within communities, women’s football and academies in Melbourne and New York but said, although he acknowledged it is “ambitious”: “I’m trying to achieve that outstanding in everything”.

He concluded:“We want to win the league in every competition we’re in – not just here (in Manchester). MLS, A-League, you better believe it. If we’re involved it’s about achieving a winning culture on the field and off the field.”