McManaman: The style can wait

McManaman will be happy if results go right

Steve McManaman will not be worried if England do not turn on the style at Euro 2000 - as long as their results go the right way.

The Real Madrid ace delivered his 'results are all that matter' message ahead of England's opening group encounter with Portugal in Eindhoven on Monday.

He cited the example of France not setting the football world alight with their performances in winning the 1998 World Cup.

And he insisted: "As long as you get results I don't think anyone can have a go at you.

It is no use playing fantastically well and going out

Steve McManaman

"Everything is just about results. It is no use playing fantastically well and going out.

"I think all that matters is going through and getting results, results, results - and once you get to the quarter-finals and semi-finals then maybe you can start to elaborate in your play.

"But first of all you have to settle in, get used to the tournament, get used to the players - and progress first and foremost.

"France won the World Cup two years ago and they were certainly not the most exciting team for me. Yet they went out and beat Brazil, who everyone loves, easily in the final."

McManaman also asked that the expectations placed on his shoulders following his fantastic performance in the final of the Champions League be kept in perspective.

McManaman: Style is not all-important

But he added that the attention paid by defenders in shackling him may mean space elsewhere for his teammates to exploit.

"As far as I am concerned I am always going to get the expectancy thing thrown at me," the former Liverpool man explained.

"At Real Madrid I never get it because there are 11 individuals who are fantastic players.

"It's only when I come with England that everything gets individualised.

"There are certain times when I am not going to get the space to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Expectancy level

"If I don't get a kick and we win, and the player in front of me is fantastic, I'll be very happy and I've done my job.

"Before the Ukraine game I was trying to lower the expectancy level because it was never going to be easy playing a team like that who are very gifted."

McManaman knows that England's first opponents Portugal will prove equally strong.

"Individually Portugal are a very talented team. A lot of the players are with big name clubs across Europe and we have to be very wary of them.

"They haven't got a recognised centre-forward like we have in Alan Shearer, but they have players who are technically very gifted and able to play anywhere they desire."