UTD Podcast: When Brucey signed for United

Tuesday 09 May 2023 11:08

What do you do when you enter a dressing room full of top professionals? You raise your game and make the most of the opportunity, says Steve Bruce.

Brucey is the latest guest on the UTD Podcast, and he tells tales of his career and the success he enjoyed during his time at Old Trafford.

In the podcast - which is available to listen to or watch on Man Utd.com and in our app from 17:00 BST today (9 May) - Steve is asked about his first impressions of United, after he signed for the club from Norwich City in 1987.

Coming into a dressing room that included the likes of Bryan Robson, Gordon Strachan and Norman Whiteside, our legendary centre-back says he felt a need to prove himself.

When Bruce joined United Video

When Bruce joined United

Steve Bruce remembers being in awe of his team-mates when walking into the Reds' dressing room for the first time...

"I’ve got my chance now, am I going to take it?" Bruce began, recalling the moment he realised the significance of signing for the Reds.

"Of course, nothing takes you from the step from Norwich to Man United. Man United was the biggest one of all but I was determined after the 10 years I’d had was [that] I’m going to try to enjoy this. 

"This has got to be the ultimate."

 

Bruce was, all of a sudden, rubbing shoulders with United greats, and says that, despite initially being awestruck, he knew he had to raise his levels.

"I’ll never forget the first time walking into the dressing room with Whiteside and McGrath and Robson and Strachan and Olsen, and these people," he added.

"[I was] thinking, I’ve only just seen these on the telly before, you know, and now I’m trying to kick a ball with them.

"I remember watching Paul McGrath thinking, am I really going to take over from him? God, what a player he is, you know!

"But I was determined to make sure that I was going to give it my best shot."

Steve Bruce's UTD Podcast is available from 17:00 BST across our official platforms today (Tuesday 9 May).

Recommended:

  • Bruce reveals Sir Alex's house visit

     Article

    In our latest UTD Podcast, Steve Bruce tells the tale of how he got the United captaincy.

  • How Bruce became United captain Video

    How Bruce became United captain

    In his UTD Podcast, Steve Bruce recalls when Sir Alex Ferguson came to his house to offer him the United captaincy...

  • Christian Eriksen – “United, it was meant to be”

     podcast

    Christian Eriksen has been missed in the Manchester United midfield but the Dane is on his way back and joined us for the latest episode of the UTD Podcast. The classy playmaker discusses his career to date and the rumours of a move to Old Trafford, which long circulated before he did end up joining the Reds last summer. He recalls playing in Denmark, the Netherlands and Italy, plus adjusting to the style and pace of the Premier League. He addresses the obstacles he has overcome and explains why he left Italy, swapping Inter Milan for Brentford. He admits he was bowled over by the response from football fans, in general, to his return to action and his time with the Bees helped lead to finally pulling on the United shirt, to join Erik ten Hag’s new project here. Hosts Helen Evans, Sam Homewood and David May ask about his relationship with the manager, what the future has in store for the side, his partnership with Casemiro in the midfield and, of course, when we can expect to see him back on the pitch. This is another outstanding podcast which allows you to know more about Christian – make sure you give it a listen!

  • Teddy Sheringham – “This is the pinnacle”

     podcast

    Treble hero Teddy Sheringham tells all about his footballing journey that led to him emerging as a key figure at the climax of the unforgettable 1998/99 season. The striker discusses his time at Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and United, and his decision to leave his beloved Spurs in order to win trophies. When his father informed him of United’s interest, he didn’t hesitate and he was taken aback by a ‘proper football club’. Ironically, his Treble campaign was far from his best, until the final three games and those 11 mad days, as he had to compete for a place with Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Teddy reveals the talks with Sir Alex and the belief the manager had that he would be needed, before his dramatic impact in the FA Cup and Champions League finals. Sheringham recounts the closing stages of the win over Bayern Munich in vivid detail and explains why it has inspired the naming of his house! Check out another unmissable episode of the UTD Podcast! If you'd like to write to the only official Manchester United Podcast then e-mail utdpodcast@manutd.co.uk The best place to catch up on the back-catalogue of our interviews is over on the Manchester United App, where you can listen to - and watch - all of our episodes in full. Here you can get early access to new episodes, published 24 hours before everywhere else. We'd also love it if you could leave us a rating and review wherever you listen to your podcasts.