Zinedine Zidane has revealed that he 'could not believe' an English player who had been omitted with Sven Goran Eriksson by the national team during the astonishing time of the duo in Real Madrid.
The French football legend does not hesitate when he is questioned about the qualities of the former English star of England, who previously revealed that he would like to play alongside Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard.
It is a well -known fact that Zidane told the president of Madrid Florentino Perez to sign the Liverpool icon in 2004 – a clear desire that is reasonably the best midfield in the world.
Although he did not miss a world-class teammates in the Galacticos era of Los Blancos, the Frenchman revealed that he remained surprised about the possibilities of a former English Fellow.
Although Gerrard's signature initially remained an insoluble task for Madrid, they completed a shock Steve McManaman's free transfer in the summer of 1999.
Although he made 37 performances for England, the former Liverpool star stopped receiving call-ups in 2001, which surprised Zidane.
“I was surprised when McManaman was omitted from the last team of England. I could not believe that they would ignore a player of his quality, “said the Frenchman in a Sky Sports interview in 2002.
'Now people are talking about the fact that he might get his chance because David Beckham is injured.
“But McManaman is much better than just being a replacement for Beckham. McManaman should be in the starting line-up anyway. '
The Englishman was omitted outside the team despite a good performance in various unusual positions in the capital of Spain – but the right wink was considered his most comfortable role.
He remained remembered as one of the most successful English stars who had played abroad despite the fierce competition in the Madrid team.
“Choosing him now would be a very smart move for Eriksson because McManaman is in the mood to prove people wrong,” Zidane continued.
“If Eriksson gave him the chance he deserves, he could prove all people and he should have been there all the time.
“I don't think he really had a good chance under Eriksson, but he has proven over the years, for Liverpool, England and Real Madrid, that he is a leading player.
'If England did not choose him, it would be a terrible waste, both for the side and for McManaman. If they don't take him to the World Cup, they will regret it. '
McManaman had a much more successful career at club level, with the leading role to Liverpool and Manchester City next to Madrid.
However, he won seven major trophies in the capital of Spain, including two Champions League titles in 2000 and 2002 respectively.
He played in the starting line-up against Valencia and played the entire 90-minute game, with which he marked his appearance with the second goal of Los Blancos in a game that ended with a 3-0 humiliation in Stade de France.
In 2002, under the same manager Vicente del Bosque, the former Premier League player the collision started on the couch, but stepped on the field in the 61st minute, to replace Luis Figo.
But the match against Greece in October 2001 remained its last for England.
After Sven-Goran Eriksson had left him out of the team about a message, McManaman was quickly his opinion with BBC 5 Live.
“Many of the reasons about it are ridiculous,” he said. 'I was involved in the last qualifying match against Greece and everyone was happy. People make their own assumptions, but it is very confusing.
“When it was announced that I was not chosen, I was not crossed because I half expected it.”
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