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1996 F.A. Premier League 1994 F.A. Cup 1994 F.A. Premier League 1993 F.A. Premier League 1992 League Cup 1991 European Cup Winners Cup 1990 F.A. Cup |  |
Steve Bruce was a bedrock of Manchester United's success in the 1990's. Commanding the United back four with a reassuring presence, control and great tactical awareness, Bruce was the steady foundation upon which to build a great team. Most importantly of all, he had an unquenchable spirit and motivation often playing with injuries that would put lesser men in hospital. His bravery and courage was unrivalled, a totally committed player ready to give his all for his team, and this inspired the team-mates around him.
In his first game for United he broke his nose, not for the last time either. The big Geordie seemed to be indestructible. Alex Ferguson once joked "When he passes on I want his body for medical research, its hard to know what this man's made of". Bruce had great ball control, passing and composure and while he could be tested by cleverly deployed pace, his experience ensured that he was rarely ever caught out.
He also boasted a very high scoring rate for a centre half with his 19 goals (including 11 penalties) in 1990/91 making him top scorer that season. Bruce scored a total of 51 goals in 411 United starting appearances, roughly a goal every eight games. His most famous goal-scoring moment will always be the 2 goals he scored against Sheffield Wednesday in the dying minutes of the game at the end of the 1993 season.
With United 1-0 down, Bruce saved United's title hopes with two amazing headed goals, sending Old Trafford into delirium and setting United on course for their first title in twenty six long years. Not only that, the legendary footballing adage of the 1990's was born - "Man Utd always score in the last minute". There can be no doubt it was because of the determination and drive of players like Steve Bruce, that headlines from then on would often read "United in last gasp victory".
He started his career at Norwich City and was bought by United in December 1987 for £800,000 saying "I'd crawl all the way from Norwich to Manchester for the chance to play for United". Alex Ferguson wisely decided to build his team from the bottom up and Bruce was to be a key component in United's rebuilding. While his club career was a string of successes the only blot on his record is his lack of international recognition.
The United Captain only won U21 caps when he obviously should have won full caps. Bruce is probably England's best ever uncapped player, and Bobby Robson has since admitted this glaring mistake. He could have played for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland had he not been disqualified by an England youth appearance.After leaving United, he played with Birmingham City for a spell before moving into management with Sheffield United. He was unsuccessful with The Blades and moved for a brief period in charge of Huddersfield Town. Bruce then moved to Crystal Palace and after some controversy, he left them to return to Birmingham City in 2001, this time as manager. He was an immediate sucess at St Andrews, in his first season he took the club up into the Premiership. Few would doubt that Brucey would love to return to Old Trafford as manager one day and repeat the success he had as a player.
Steve Bruce is Manchester United's second most successful captain, having led the club to three Premier League titles, the 1992 League cup and the 1994 FA Cup. A true leader that any great team would be proud to have, there can be no doubting the significance of his role in Manchester United's success over the last decade.
In his first game for United he broke his nose, not for the last time either. The big Geordie seemed to be indestructible. Alex Ferguson once joked "When he passes on I want his body for medical research, its hard to know what this man's made of". Bruce had great ball control, passing and composure and while he could be tested by cleverly deployed pace, his experience ensured that he was rarely ever caught out.
He also boasted a very high scoring rate for a centre half with his 19 goals (including 11 penalties) in 1990/91 making him top scorer that season. Bruce scored a total of 51 goals in 411 United starting appearances, roughly a goal every eight games. His most famous goal-scoring moment will always be the 2 goals he scored against Sheffield Wednesday in the dying minutes of the game at the end of the 1993 season.
With United 1-0 down, Bruce saved United's title hopes with two amazing headed goals, sending Old Trafford into delirium and setting United on course for their first title in twenty six long years. Not only that, the legendary footballing adage of the 1990's was born - "Man Utd always score in the last minute". There can be no doubt it was because of the determination and drive of players like Steve Bruce, that headlines from then on would often read "United in last gasp victory".
He started his career at Norwich City and was bought by United in December 1987 for £800,000 saying "I'd crawl all the way from Norwich to Manchester for the chance to play for United". Alex Ferguson wisely decided to build his team from the bottom up and Bruce was to be a key component in United's rebuilding. While his club career was a string of successes the only blot on his record is his lack of international recognition.
The United Captain only won U21 caps when he obviously should have won full caps. Bruce is probably England's best ever uncapped player, and Bobby Robson has since admitted this glaring mistake. He could have played for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland had he not been disqualified by an England youth appearance.After leaving United, he played with Birmingham City for a spell before moving into management with Sheffield United. He was unsuccessful with The Blades and moved for a brief period in charge of Huddersfield Town. Bruce then moved to Crystal Palace and after some controversy, he left them to return to Birmingham City in 2001, this time as manager. He was an immediate sucess at St Andrews, in his first season he took the club up into the Premiership. Few would doubt that Brucey would love to return to Old Trafford as manager one day and repeat the success he had as a player.
Steve Bruce is Manchester United's second most successful captain, having led the club to three Premier League titles, the 1992 League cup and the 1994 FA Cup. A true leader that any great team would be proud to have, there can be no doubting the significance of his role in Manchester United's success over the last decade.
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