Steve Bruce BELIEVES it would take a BIG SIGNING to replace Marcus Rashford at Manchester United!

I'm delighted to say joining us now is former Manchester United defender, Newcastle manager, Steve Bruce. Good afternoon, Steve. Good afternoon. It's been rather riveting listening to you guys, I have to say. Riveting? Whoever thought that Pepe Pig was a bloke, that's a great one, I have to say. Is there anything that you've only just realised recently, Steve? Anything off the top of your head? I realise it's very early in the morning for me to get up in the Caribbean to come on your show. And I said yesterday, a producer, thinking, well, I'd better get up at seven o'clock again. So here I am anyway. So I'm a bit blurry. I do apologise. No, no, we appreciate it, Steve. And we appreciate your comments throughout the World Cup. OK, well, look, we could get your final reflections on what happened with England and the final itself and all that. I mean, just a quick view. Did you enjoy the tournament? I think we all enjoyed the tournament, I have to say. And you could argue that the best team won it. I mean, when you look at the statistics, they never conceded a goal. I mean, ten shots in something like eight games, I'm just looking at the defensive side of Spain. But then you could argue that they really were, well, they didn't have to defend because they always had the ball, it seemed. So that's the way the Spanish play. You have to say for the last 20 years or so now, they've been, you know, the most dominant team around. They are the team to beat, and especially the way they play, you know, in hot conditions, especially in a World Cup in the summer, they keep the ball and make sure that they run the other team into the ground. I mean, really, Argentina never had a kick. And that's a testament to how good Spain were. Steve, you know, you played at the highest level, you played under arguably the greatest in Sir Alex. I'm really intrigued as to what, and of course, you've managed yourself right at the top of the game. I wonder what you've made of the tone of Thomas Tuchel's comments, whether it's telling Talk Sport he had no regrets about what happened in that semi-final, or whether, for my money anyway, sort of using this idea that it's not in English football DNA to keep the ball. That was a cop-out for me. What did you make of those comments? And do you think that's something Sir Alex would ever have done, is essentially refuse to take any responsibility for a negative performance? Well, I think when you reflect on anything, when you're a manager and you get judged, really, on your big decisions and what you do, and usually the big ones don't get out very wrong. And I think we're all in agreement, and maybe Thomas, looking back on it, will reflect and think, did I make that call too quickly? But look, we were five minutes away. You know, we were one and a half or five minutes to go in normal time. I think we all knew there was going to be another 10 minutes. So he could quite argue that he nearly got it right. And let's not forget, I know Mexico is a bit different because we're 10 men. Against Norway, we did exactly the same thing. So, you know, in the previous two games, we got a... Well, no, let's put it right. We defended very, very well. But even when he made the substitutions and we had all these defenders on the pitch, it always seemed to be, when the crosses were coming in, that the red shirt was on hand to be on the end of it. So I think when he reflects on it, you'll think, did I make the call too soon? I read that stat the other day, that when England scored in the 62nd minute, for the next 35 minutes, we only had 12% possession. I mean, for a team like England, that is absolutely ridiculous, isn't it? I mean, so, you know, I think in reflection, you'll have to... Well, we'll all live with it because, you know, we were so close. But as I have to say, the Spanish and the way they play were worthy champions. I think that's fair enough, really. So now we're coming back to the Premier League. We're right in the middle of the transfer season, a busy time for managers, as you all know. We should talk a bit about your old club, United, because they're basically completely rebuilding their midfield, aren't they? And it's going to be interesting to see who they end up with and how it goes. I mean, Tidemans, though, that's got to be a good signing, I would have thought. Yeah, I mean, he's proven in the Premier League, isn't he, over the last few years? And I think that's what they've done over the last couple of transfers, anyway. They've took people from the Premier League, and that's paid dividends for the likes of Cunha. It's done very, very well. So, yeah, they've had to revamp their midfield area, of course, with the loss of Casemiro. So, yeah, very interesting. They look very, very good signings on paper. Let's hope they can adapt to playing for Man U. It's going to be a big season, of course, and we're all rooting behind Michael. I'm delighted that he got the job and the opportunity, because, let's be fair, he did a wonderful job. However, it's going to be a little bit different this year. They've got to tackle Europe. Now, all of a sudden, they've got more games, and you're playing more on a Saturday, Tuesday. I think last season was the least games Man United have ever played in a season. I think they only played 40 games. They got knocked out in both cup competitions, weren't in Europe. So, you're going to have to adapt and need a bigger, fitter, healthier squad. But they're making the right signs, and I don't think they're finished today of what they've done. Steve, I'm interested in your thoughts on Marcus Rashford, because, sadly for him, even though he had a really good stint at Barcelona, they've opted for Anthony Gordon. I think his wages getting increased because of Manchester United's qualification for the Champions League hasn't actually helped him, because Barcelona can't really afford that. Is Michael Carrick a kind of bridge for reconciliation between Marcus Rashford and Manchester United? Do you see a world where he plays for United next season? Well, look, he's contracted to them, and if he has to go back to Manchester, then Michael's the right one to try and get the best out of him. It's no secret that he had a fallout with the previous manager, and that was not going to succeed. But we've seen a lot of Rashford in the World Cup to say he's an asset for any team to have. If you can get him turned around and put the differences aside, the kid's a top, top player. And yes, he's had some difficulties or whatever, but we've seen last year with Barcelona, we've just seen glimpses of it now with England in the World Cup, the kid's a really, really outstanding footballer. So if anybody can get him back in the fold, I think Michael, the way his demeanour is, the way Michael is as a character, will ensure that Rashford could come back and quite rightly play for Man United. Why not? It's going to take a really big signing to replace him for a start, because as I said, he's a top, top player, and if he's happy in the environment, happy to come back in to the fold, then I'm sure Michael's the right man to get him up and running again. Yeah, I'd imagine he'd want him if Rashford actually wants him. Absolutely. He's a good player. Are you concerned about Newcastle, though? They've lost Tonali, they've lost Gordon, it looks like they're going to lose Gimaraj. That's three big players for them. They've signed players, but that'll take some replacing, I think. Oh, you're absolutely right there. I mean, they've been the outstanding performers for Newcastle over the last couple of years in particular. Those three to take out your team are practically irreplaceable. I mean, you're selling them all for £100 million each, so it's very, very difficult. They must be in a really difficult position, Newcastle. A bit like Aston Villa, I keep saying the same thing. When I was managing Newcastle, I think the turnover of the club was something like £130 million, £135 million. Now it's somewhere up to where £300 million is the turnover. However, when you compare that to a Manchester United or a Manchester City or an Arsenal or a Chelsea, they're up at £600 million, £700 million, £800 million turnover. And that's the problem with a financial fair play and what happens. But to lose your big, big three players must be a blow, and obviously they're going to go down a different direction, it looks like. I can't help but feel that the financial regulations in the Premier League really kill the ambition of big clubs like Newcastle, like Aston Villa. Like Forrest. Well, like Forrest, because the revenue streams just aren't there yet and it seems unfair that they've been brought in at this arbitrary time in football in history where you've already got these established clubs like Chelsea and City who've been able to become the sort of trophy-winning clubs that they are because there were no regulations at the time. So I do feel for Newcastle, and I have done, I always do. However, I thought Darren McAnthony made a really good point yesterday when he was on with Alex Crook. Peter Barona said, ultimately, look at what happened to Bournemouth last season. At the end of last season, they had their entire defence stripped and their recruitment sorted out and now they're in Europe. And so is there an argument to say, Steve, that if Newcastle can get their recruitment right this summer, then it shouldn't be such a cause for concern and maybe there should be some optimism around the city? Well, I get it. And the reason why Bournemouth have been so successful is their recruitment over the years has been absolutely magnificent. Now, the thing is about Bournemouth, can they sustain it? Can they mount a challenge in Europe? They've done fantastically well, as you say, to sell all them defenders for a lot of money in replacing them. However, can you keep doing that? I'm not sure you can. I'm delighted that they have done it and they've shown a way. Brighton, Bournemouth, Brighton, they've all done fantastically well. Brentford's another one who've bought well, sought well, but that's the way they're going to run their football club. When you are wanting to be in the Champions League final or winning the Premier League or playing in Europe every year, then it's a different scenario. So, yes, you could say 20 years ago Chelsea were on the same boat when there were no restrictions and look what they've built, and the same goes for Manchester City. So, you do feel sorry for these teams, but they are the rules and that's why it must be very difficult for any club to really try and compete with the big boys who are already in there. Well said, Steve. Steve, thank you so much for your time. Enjoy this World Cup. We've really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and reflections on it. Thank you very much for having me.