OPTA JURY: STEVE McMANAMAN
"He has been a dream signing," said Kevin Keegan, "not just on the field but because of his personality off it.
"He is a wonderful player. His training is first class. He is a genuine lad who wants to win things and wants to improve us."
Frozen out of the Real Madrid set up for the 2003-04 season, McManaman arrived at Manchester City in late August. He joined a side that was buzzing after an unbeaten start to the season had taken them to fourth spot in the table.
McManaman had to wait a couple of weeks to make his debut but when it came he put in a sparkling display against Aston Villa, helping his new side to a 4-1 win and reminding many observers of the McManaman of old.
However, despite getting off to the best of starts, this hasn't turned into the fairytale return that the former Liverpool man would have hoped for. A persistent hamstring injury has restricted his appearances to just 12 in the league for City, while poor form for the team has seen them slide down the Premiership table and fail to win in their last ten league games.
Despite this poor run of form McManaman, has had an effect on the side. Since he signed for City they have failed to win a game when he hasn't appeared - losing five and drawing one of the six games he has missed. Meanwhile their last three wins have all come with McManaman in the side.
Goalscoring has never been a strong point for the 31 year old and so it shouldn't be a surprise that he has yet to open his City account. Perhaps more surprising however, is that the renowned creative player has yet to get an assist so far this season.
So has McManaman's return to the Premiership been a success for the player, his manager and Manchester City or is he struggling to cope after four years away from English football?
| Steve McManaman | | | | |
| Season | 2000-01 | 2001-02 | 2002-03 | 2003-04 |
| Minutes On Pitch | 1965 | 1296 | 556 | 985 |
| Goal Attempts | | | | |
| Goals | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Shots On Target | 9 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Shots Off Target | 8 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Passing | | | | |
| Goal Assists | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Total Passes | 1202 | 811 | 338 | 548 |
| Pass Completion % | 82% | 83% | 85% | 85% |
| Crossing | | | | |
| Total Crosses | 30 | 12 | 4 | 29 |
| Cross Completion % | 27% | 25% | 25% | 34% |
| Dribbling | | | | |
| Dribbles & Runs | 123 | 78 | 22 | 68 |
| Dribble Completion % | 78% | 85% | 64% | 75% |
| Discipline | | | | |
| Fouls | 23 | 17 | 8 | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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