McManaman was once described as "England's forgotten man" but was also accused of being apathetic and having a laidback attitude and having a reputation for being a troublemaker, which began after an incident before Euro 96, where along with Teddy Sheringham and Gascoigne, McManaman was photographed drinking in Hong Kong, and subsequently accused of causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to a Cathay Pacific first class flight cabin, although this was later reported to have not been caused by McManaman or Fowler as the whole England team took collective responsibility for Gascoigne's antics on the flight, while the party in Hong Kong was a team party.