Steve Bruce has praised Man United Manager Erik ten Hag for his handling of the recent Marcus Rashford controversy.
Bruce, who was speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, was glowing in his praise of Ten Hag who has been under a lot of pressure at Old Trafford this season.
The former Man United player and longtime manager has also previewed United’s upcoming game against Aston Villa.
Plus he shares fascinating anecdotes from his coaching career, shedding light on player management and offering thoughts on transfer speculation surrounding Callum Wilson.
Man United v Aston Villa Preview
Man Utd have themselves some form and it's no coincidence that some of the big players are back, especially defensively although it looks like Martinez has suffered an injury again.
But all of a sudden Varane is fit, Luke Shaw is fit and Harry Maguire is fit. I think they have been badly troubled with the loss of key players defensively.
You can have all the flair you want going forward and Man Utd are always going to have those players in the forward areas who will excite you. Fernandes, Hojlund, Garnacho and Rashford are such a threat. But where Man Utd have toiled is the loss of key players at the back.
Casemiro, for a start, who had a wonderful start to his career has been out for months. Shaw has been out too, but at least now they have a bit of stability and look a bit more like themselves.
*Man United are 21/10 underdogs to win against Aston Villa in the Premier League this Sunday according to the latest football odds at BoyleSports.
Reports That Man United Teammates Unhappy With Marcus Rashford
I'm always wary of reports and if they're true or not. I think it's been wonderful management by Ten Hag, he's played this well.
What he has done is put all the onus on Rashford. He's been a naughty boy but it's done, don't do it again. Put the onus right back on Rashford.
At Wolves after scoring, the manager's choice has been justified so fair play to Ten Hag and Rashford. He's done wrong and shouldered responsibility straight away.
*Man United are 11/2 to finish in the top four in the Premier League this season per the latest football betting odds at BoyleSports.
Would yourself, Roy Keane or Bryan Robson have taken it upon yourself to have had a word with Rashford?
Sometimes in a dressing room that is strong, a dressing room would manage itself. The players I played with were hugely demanding and sometimes Ferguson didn't have to say too much.
When you have big characters like Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Paul Ince and Peter Schmeichel, sometimes he never had to say a word. We would sort the dressing room out before he even got in there.
I'm sure if Rashford's teammates were feeling let down, it's right they said something. These days it's very difficult to keep it in the dressing room.
You can't keep anything but I would hope some words were said.
Bruce Recalls Rashford-like Incident As A Manager
I had an episode at Aston Villa with Ross McCormack where unfortunately he didn't fancy coming into training because he'd been out the night before. It happens. It's part of life and management.
We're not all squeaky clean just because you're a footballer, but you have to be in some ways because they are like pop stars now. Players are on the front pages now and it's ridiculous.
I told McCormack he was a naughty boy and smacked him across the wrist. I told him to accept his fine. We got on with it after that.
He tried to respond well to it after that, but to be fair I believe there were issues with Ross at the time which I wasn't aware of. He had a difficult time on the outside of football in his private life.
Bruce on Robbie Savage
Robbie Savage wanted to leave and I didn't want him to. If that's a falling out then I think we're quite within our rights.
I thought he was making the wrong decision. Whether it was right or wrong, you would have to ask him.
You're going to have fallouts with players, it's like any walk of life. You have to accept it but there has to be respect both ways. Now man management is more relevant than it used to be.
How Callum Wilson Would Fit At Man United
Man Utd are always linked with players and what we've just seen in January is a reality check, that you cannot break these rules. You had to adhere to these rules and that is why we have not seen much activity. I don't think I have seen a quieter January, that's for sure.
I'd love to know what the actual figures are but it looks to me as though there has been a reality check up and down the country.
Wilson is a proven goalscorer, just look at his figures. The kid stacks up. He's unfortunately had a few injuries but when he's fit he's a very good player. I'm not surprised he's linked with clubs including Man Utd at all because if you look at his record, especially since he's been at Newcastle, he's turned himself into a very, very good number nine.
