A lost cause was something that Steve Bruce did not recognise as captain of Manchester United. His two late headers in a dramatic 2-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1993, at the dawn of “Fergie time”, remain iconic.
United were soon crowned champions for the first time in 26 years and a dynasty which harvested 13 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson began.
Now in arguably the toughest period of his long managerial career, Bruce’s powers of resilience as Newcastle United boss are being stretched to the limit.
Ahead of his latest return to Old Trafford on Sunday, where the 60-year-old has never won as a manager, the Magpies hover perilously above the drop zone.
Bruce has received death threats online and his former United team-mate Gary Pallister, tells i: “That’s completely unacceptable but anyone who knows Brucey knows he’s not one to shirk a challenge. People need to realise what a tough remit he’s got, with everything that comes with a club who don’t splash out the riches of other Premier League sides and is looking to be sold.
“As a player you look at a manager and think ‘are you just all bluster?’
“But Brucey has been there and done it as a player and manager – he’s as tough as they come and will keep going.”
“But Steve’s a very resilient character and that’s why he became captain of Manchester United after Bryan Robson. He wore his heart on his sleeve and would put his head in where angels fear to tread.
He added: “It was always Brucey’s dream to manage Newcastle and I was delighted when he got the job there. Him and Robbo used to talk about the glory days at Newcastle because that’s who they grew up supporting.”
Pallister won four Premier League titles at Old Trafford but faced a difficult period following his arrival from Middlesbrough in 1989. He sees similarities with the criticism that fellow centre-backs Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have endured at times.
The 55-year-old says: “Harry is a very dependable centre-half and you can’t argue with the form of Lindelof. If United can go and buy a player like Vincent Kompany or Virgil van Dijk, somebody right out of the top drawer of centre-halves, then I’m sure they will do.
“United are arguably the biggest club in the world and should never be standing still.”
He recalls: “I had double-page spreads in the papers from former United players and managers giving me flak.
“But it either breaks you or it makes you. We had a siege mentality and it was something that Sir Alex built up.
“You’ve got to go through the dark times to get to the good times.”
United appear certain to go an eighth successive season without winning the title since Ferguson retired but Pallister sees signs of progress under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
Research from 888 Sport shows that Newcastle have struggled to find consistency with the ever-changing kick-off times in the Premier League, leaving Solskjaer’s side favourites to win Sunday’s 7pm showdown.
“I wasn’t convinced we could win the league when we went top a few weeks ago, but there is more hope in this team than there has ever been since Sir Alex stepped down,” Pallister added.
“Ole’s trying to build an attractive side and it still has its issues but Bruno Fernandes has brought a different dimension.
“There was obviously going to be a period of time when you’re going to have to cope with change. But given the size of the club, United certainly shouldn’t be falling out of the top four and that’s where we’ve found ourselves at times.
“Right now, I think Ole is on the right track and has restored a belief back to the fans that we’re getting better.
“Ole joined United in 1996 when I was there and he was a terrific thinker about the game. To see him now, he quietly gets on with the job. He’s studious, he wants to be brave with the football and beat teams the Manchester United way. It’s about entertaining, scoring goals. That’s what Ole has got a grip of and is trying to produce.”
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