Bruce chasing 1st United win
Source: Agencies |
December 26, 2010, Sunday
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MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson is an admirer of the job done by Steve Bruce as Sunderland boss, but intends to put a dent in his protege's progress when the teams clash in the English Premier League today.
Sunderland has risen to sixth in the standings by winning four and losing only one of its past eight matches, and goes to Old Trafford with more confidence than usual at the intimidating venue.
Bruce, who featured in three of Ferguson's title winning sides, has molded a young side into potential Europe qualifiers during his two years in charge.
United tops the table by two points, thanks in no small part to Sunderland having beaten title aspirants Chelsea and Manchester City while holding Arsenal to a draw.
"Steve's changed the club around," Ferguson said. "He's brought different types of player in. He's brought in (Darren) Bent and (Asamoah) Gyan, he's brought through the boy (Jordan) Henderson who's doing fantastically well, he's brought back (Lee) Cattermole and he's shaped his own team."
Despite being in management now for 12 years, Bruce still looks up to Ferguson - even if his sides have never managed to beat United in 16 attempts.
"I will owe him a debt for the rest of my days," the 49-year-old former defender said. "He is the most outstanding manager there has ever been."
While the game has an aura of master and apprentice, a win by Sunderland will bring the Black Cats within four points of United.
Sunderland will be without seven first-team players. Striker Danny Welbeck is ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement with United, while captain Cattermole is suspended and John Mensah, Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, David Meyler and Fraizer Campbell are all injured.
Last season, Bruce's team came within seconds of victory at Old Trafford - where Sunderland has not won for 42 years - until Anton Ferdinand's own goal gifted United an equalizer.
The pressure is on United to take three points today with second-place Arsenal facing Chelsea the following night.
Chelsea is enduring its worst league run for more than a decade, having won just one of its past seven games and slumped from top to fourth spot. Arsenal, though, could be the perfect opponent having beaten its London rival in their last five meetings in all competitions, including a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in October.
Sunderland has risen to sixth in the standings by winning four and losing only one of its past eight matches, and goes to Old Trafford with more confidence than usual at the intimidating venue.
Bruce, who featured in three of Ferguson's title winning sides, has molded a young side into potential Europe qualifiers during his two years in charge.
United tops the table by two points, thanks in no small part to Sunderland having beaten title aspirants Chelsea and Manchester City while holding Arsenal to a draw.
"Steve's changed the club around," Ferguson said. "He's brought different types of player in. He's brought in (Darren) Bent and (Asamoah) Gyan, he's brought through the boy (Jordan) Henderson who's doing fantastically well, he's brought back (Lee) Cattermole and he's shaped his own team."
Despite being in management now for 12 years, Bruce still looks up to Ferguson - even if his sides have never managed to beat United in 16 attempts.
"I will owe him a debt for the rest of my days," the 49-year-old former defender said. "He is the most outstanding manager there has ever been."
While the game has an aura of master and apprentice, a win by Sunderland will bring the Black Cats within four points of United.
Sunderland will be without seven first-team players. Striker Danny Welbeck is ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement with United, while captain Cattermole is suspended and John Mensah, Titus Bramble, Michael Turner, David Meyler and Fraizer Campbell are all injured.
Last season, Bruce's team came within seconds of victory at Old Trafford - where Sunderland has not won for 42 years - until Anton Ferdinand's own goal gifted United an equalizer.
The pressure is on United to take three points today with second-place Arsenal facing Chelsea the following night.
Chelsea is enduring its worst league run for more than a decade, having won just one of its past seven games and slumped from top to fourth spot. Arsenal, though, could be the perfect opponent having beaten its London rival in their last five meetings in all competitions, including a 2-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge in October.
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