How good is our record against Steve Bruce?
GAMES TO REMEMBER
Bruce tends to run a tight defensive ship against United, but in his last two meetings with the Reds, United have blown the Magpies away 4-1, despite Bruce’s Magpies scoring first on both occasions.
But our standout win against our former captain came in May 2008, when a 2-0 win over Bruce’s Wigan, thanks to a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo and a left-footed finish from Ryan Giggs, sealed the Premier League title on the final day. United would go on to win the Champions League in Moscow just 10 days later, denying Chelsea on both occasions.
In more recent memory, United went 2-0 down to Bruce’s Hull City after 13 minutes on Boxing Day 2013, before goals from Chris Smalling, a scorching volley from Wayne Rooney and an own-goal from James Chester sealed a dramatic win.
And later that season, with Giggs as interim manager, James Wilson scored twice on his United debut as we won 3-1 over Bruce’s Hull. But, more significantly, it would be the 963rd and final time the Welshman took to the pitch as a United player.
