Newcastle manager Bruce hoping to write new chapter when he returns to former club Man Utd
STEVE BRUCE is such a part of Manchester United folklore that his unwritten autobiography’s working title is ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
But as he returns to Old Trafford today, the proud Geordie hopes his book will need a name change — after writing a glorious new chapter at Newcastle.
Bruce’s first autobiography was called ‘Heading for Victory’ and it was published 25 years ago after captaining United to the Double.
He started work on a new one after being sacked by Aston Villa in October 2018, then abandoned it when he was appointed as Sheffield Wednesday manager just three months later.
But with Bruce now living out his fantasy by managing boyhood club Newcastle, he smiled: “It’s time to change that Theatre of Dreams title!
“I will have to keep a few chapters for this job, however long it will be.
“When you’re writing a book, everyone wants to hear about Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson, so that will be a big chunk. But I suppose that it would be nice if the book ended up the other way around...
“We will revisit the book at a later date and look at the title!”
In Heading for Victory, Bruce’s former team-mate and keeper Peter Schmeichel described him as the “personification of Manchester United”.
The centre-back won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in nine years at Old Trafford.
I will have to keep a few chapters for this job, however long it will be."
Steve Bruce
Bruce, 58, admitted: “Everybody associates me with Manchester United because I had nine years there, for those who can remember.
“It was half my playing career and it was such a pleasure to captain them for the best part of five years.
“But of the younger generation, they don’t care who I am! It’s a different generation. It’s 23 years since I left but it’s always great to go back. It will be a proud day.”
Bruce’s best Old Trafford memory is when he scored two late headers — including a 97th-minute winner — as United came from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in April 1993.
That victory, which is also remembered for Sir Alex and Brian Kidd’s wild celebrations on the pitch, went a long way to securing the Red Devils their first top-flight title since 1967.
And Bruce recalled: “If you ask any Man United supporter, they hadn’t won the league for 26 years. And the turning point was when we won with my two goals against Wednesday.
“Their goalkeeper Chris Woods was my next-door neighbour at Norwich and was staying with me that night.
“I think he actually let the first one in! The whole thing was typical Manchester United, with Fergie being the gambler and trying to win the game.”
Bruce, who was rejected by the Toon as a kid, signed for United from Norwich in 1987 — a year after Ferguson took charge.
The Toon chief said: “Sir Alex picked me up from the airport with my good lady, not many managers would do that now.
“He tested you to the limit because if you couldn’t handle Sir Alex back in the day, I don’t think you were any good for Man United.
“He wanted to surround himself with people who could win and he had a ferocious will to win and achieve.
“I had all the s*** for seven years at Gillingham, playing at Scunthorpe and Grimsby away, so I was going to enjoy it.
“That first training session, you realise they are top, top players.
“You’re like, ‘Wow’. It was mouth-watering.
“I was in awe of the place — but determined to enjoy it and make a fist of it.”
Bruce succeeded Bryan Robson as United’s skipper in 1992 but was in a team packed with leaders like Roy Keane, Gary Pallister, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes.
A lack of leadership has been a big problem for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s current crop.
The Red Devils are lying a lowly eighth in the league — only above Newcastle on goal difference. And Bruce admitted: “When the young ones came in when we were there, they had the experienced ones to hang on to.
“I think that is the key to it. And before you know it your Nevilles, Butts and Scholes had become leaders.
“Character is the most important thing that you have to have.”
Bruce has never won as a manager at Old Trafford.
In fact, his only victory over United in 23 ATTEMPTS came when Newcastle beat them at home in October, thanks to midfielder Matty Longstaff’s late winner.
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Bruce added: “The last time we did the double over them was 1930-31 with the club’s first-ever manager Andy Cunningham.
“They’ll be upset and disappointed from how they did at Watford, but it’s always about how they respond. They’re in a transitional period that’s probably lasted longer than anyone would have thought.
“But make no mistake, they’ve still got some very good young players. It’s only a matter of time before they’re pushing in the right away again.”