He played junior hockey with the Toronto Canoe Club from 1928 to 1930. McManus then moved out east and played senior for the New Glasgow Tigers and Fredericton Capitals. In 1932 he joined the Moncton Hawks and won two straight Allan Cups in 1933 and 1934. This got him in with the Montreal Maroons the next season. McManus played in 25 games that season, but got little ice time on the powerful club and only scored one assist. He retired in 1947.