Steve Bruce started out as a midfielder but translated into a powerful and dependable centre-back whom many described as the best player of the 1980s and 1990s never to appear for England
Steve Bruce started out as a midfielder but translated into a powerful and dependable centre-back whom many described as the best player of the 1980s and 1990s never to appear for England. The characteristics he displayed as a player were tough tackling, determination and a never-say-die attitude. Bruce began his footballing career at Gillingham before moving to Norwich, where he built up a high reputation which saw Sir Alex Ferguson pay £850,000 for his signature in December 1987. He proceeded to make over 300 appearances for Manchester United in over eight and a half years, scoring a very respectable 51 goals in the process.
He amazingly finished the 1990/91 campaign as United's joint top goalscorer with 19 goals, helped by accuracy from the penalty spot. After taking over the captaincy from Bryan Robson, Steve went on to lift every domestic trophy. Bruce helped United win three Premiership titles (1993, 1994 and 1996), two FA Cups (1990 and 1994), one Football League Cup and one Cup Winners' Cup (1991). He was left out of United's squad for the 1996 FA Cup final against Liverpool. Despite the fact that he was club captain, he insisted that match winner Éric Cantona lift the trophy at Wembley in an almost unprecedented show of professionalism. Within two weeks, however, he had joined Birmingham City on a free transfer. Steve Bruce later moved to Sheffield United before retiring to take up management.
(c) Givemefootball.com official Steve Bruce profile
