Macca hits out at critics

Real's Steve McManaman has hit back at critics who berated him and fellow England player Robbie Fowler for a late-night drink in a Liverpool bar.

Reports earlier this week suggested the pair were spotted drinking in The Living Room bar just hours before linking up with the England squad at their Manchester base.

But writing in his column in The Daily Telegraph, McManaman lambasted his critics, saying: "I am a professional footballer, competing at the top level, and find it offensive that people can suggest I can't go out for a drink and a meal five days before a match."

"It is laughable the way a few hours harmless socialising gets picked up and distorted."

"If there had been a fight or drunken staggerings towards abusive fans, then fair enough, anybody is open to criticism, but that wasn't the case."

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson refused to comment on the affair at a recent press conference, but McManaman insists the squad are unaffected by the allegations.

"The England squad all laughed off this latest run of 'drinking storm' exclusives but there is also a sadness that this is the main talking point before England's biggest game for years.

"In Spain, the press never reports on players' off-duty lives. It is normal for players to have a beer or two before a meal, and have wine on the table, the night before a match," he added.