Sir Alex has paid tribute to Steve Bruce, his opposite number on Saturday, but a man who provided a telling contribution to ending United's agonising 26-year wait for a league title.
Bruce was a courageous captain for the Reds and scored more than his fair share of goals, including the two late headers against Sheffield Wednesday that secured the upper hand in the 1992/1993 title race. Ahead of the latest meeting with one of his former players, the boss was keen to recall the attributes of the bargain buy from Norwich and discuss the Sunderland chief's qualities.
"There are two thing about Steve Bruce which I always find remarkable," revealed Sir Alex. "One: he never got an England cap. And, in fairness, [Sir] Bobby Robson apologised to him for that.
"The second thing: when he had his medical, the doctor wasn't sure he should pass it. [Chairman] Martin Edwards came in and told me his knees are not that good. I thought: 'Christ, he's not missed a game in five years'.
"Nobody else I've ever managed has played through the sort of injuries he had to play with. In his last few years, he was starting to break up! It's amazing he was able to do it for so long.
"We went to play Liverpool and he had a hamsting injury the week before. I was wondering who I should replace him with and then, on Friday, when we were doing the drills at the training ground, he came over the hill clutching his hamstring but said he'd be okay to play. I told him not to be silly but he said he'd be fine and he went out and played against Liverpool."
source : manutd
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