McManaman finds Real support

Steve McManaman may be upset about his exclusion from the Real Madrid squad to play Galatasaray in the European Super Cup tomorrow, but it seems some people at the Bernabeu are rooting for him.

Steve McManaman may be upset about his exclusion from the Real Madrid squad to play Galatasaray in the European Super Cup tomorrow, but it seems some people at the Bernabeu are rooting for him.

The England winger was the only outfield player in the Real squad not named to travel to Monaco for the match against the Uefa Cup winners, but a confidential report circulating at Madrid has given him a vote of confidence. The report, which includes recommendations on which players should be transferred, was written on 28 April by the club's technical director, José Martinez Pirri, and contains assessments on all of Vicente del Bosque's squad.

Of McManaman the report which was leaked to the Spanish sports newspaper As said: "Technically he is good, secure and doesn't lose the ball. Physically he isn't strong, he does work hard but doesn't defend, he is more of an attacking player. He doesn't run up and down the wings."

"He has a great personality," the report said, adding that injury had robbed him of confidence. "If he recovers form for the beginning of next season we can make use of him."

Pirri said the leaked document was not the final version he had given to the club. "It is incomplete and superficial and is the version I wrote in April, not the one I gave at the end of the season," he said. "It is shameful that it has been leaked."