McManaman waryof Feyenoord

Steve McManaman has insisted Real Madrid will not be underestimating Feyenoord when they line up for the European Super Cup on Friday night.

Even though the UEFA Cup champions will be facing Madrid, the European Champions, just three days after playing Fenerbahce in a Champions League qualifier, McManaman believes the Dutch side will prove a tough nut to crack.

"Whenever Madrid play we are favourites, but Feyenoord have just won in Istanbul and that's a hard place to win," he said.

"They are a dangerous team. (Thomas) Buffel, who scored against Fenerbache, and (Pierre) van Hooijdonk are very dangerous. Van Hooijdonk is especially good with free-kicks from outside the area."

The Spanish giants will also be present in the Champions League and McManaman reckons defending their title will be especially difficult this season.

"There are a lot of strong teams in this years Champions league, but we are professionals and it's not a problem whoever we get in the group," he said.

Madrid have failed to capture any big name signings in the close season but the Englishman remains calm about the situation.

Madrid have spent most of the summer in a fruitless attempt to sign Brazil striker Ronaldo, while French midfielder Zinedine Zidane told France Football yesterday they would have been better signing someone to back up Fernando Hierro and Ivan Helguera in defence.

However, the rest of Europe has also been suffering problems in the transfer market, and McManaman said: "There have not been many signings in Europe, so we are very calm here and the fact we haven't made any signings isn't a problems for us."

The former Liverpool star is aware that even without reinforcements, it is still going to be difficult to get time on the pitch, but remains confident the opportunities will arise.

"I want to play every game, but so do the other 25. However, it will be a long season and we will all get a chance," he insisted.