McManaman confounds critics to prove he is a Real class act

By Bill George

McManaman spent nine years at Liverpool before leaving on a free transfer for Real in 1999 and he is now a much more rounded, more self-confident player whose movement and touch are very much on a par with his more famous colleagues.

He is 31 years old and unlikely to ever win a place as an automatic starter for Real. Madrid were actively seeking to transfer him two seasons ago and his role this season has been very peripheral.