have eventually bought this game (brand new, wrapped off ebay) and it's a great laugh except i can't save any game data

click to save and nothing happens, just hangs. if i load the game again and try to save anything, 'corrupt data' is shown as a game save

is the problem that i use a non sony memory card?
it's a 'Memory Manager' card, but TBH this is the first problems i've ever had saving stuff with it.

before i go and blow some hard earned on an official PS2 card, is there maybe something wrong with the game data?

ta