Interview with McManamam inThe Sunday Times:
How do you hurt Steve McManaman? How do you paint a thunderstorm on the clear blue sky that seems a permanent fixture on his face? And why would you want to? He has, after all, won more honours in Europe — two Spanish League titles, two European Cups — than any British player in history. Why hurt Steve McManaman? Why does he invoke so much prejudice? But he does.
And it’s everywhere. On Monday, as he passes through the hotel bar, a man drinking at a table with a small group of friends responds to his arrival by cupping the fingers of his right hand and giving his wrist a little shake. McManaman notes the gesture, inquires politely if the gentleman requires assistance and carries on his way. They will have to work harder to rattle his cage.
"It doesn’t bother me," he explains. "I live in Manchester — bloody hell. Of course you’re going to get Manchester United fans shouting things and that. But what are they going to shout? ‘W***er? Scouse bastard?’ So what? I’ve already walked past. I’ve been there and gone, and it doesn’t worry me. It bothers some people. It bothers him ( he nods again towards Fowler) terribly. He’s a bit insecure over that. He can’t have people staring at him."
"When is the last time you felt that happy on a football field?" I ask.
He thinks about it, but is unsure how to respond. "Ehm, I was happy when Manchester City beat Man United 4-1 last season; but I came off injured at half-time, so how do you quantify it? When you win games, you’re always very happy. We are the only team to have beaten Chelsea this year, and I was happy at the end of that."
"The question is, when did you feel that happy?" I reply, tapping the cover of the book.
He’s struggling again: "Hard to say, really."
"You haven’t scored yet since you returned to the Premiership."
"No I haven’t scored."