Topic of conversation today was opposite number Chris Wilder, the United squad’s reaction after their hit and miss last fortnight and injuries with huge updates on full-back DeAndre Yedlin, who missed last weekend’s Manchester City draw, and Andy Carroll, who was also absent for the St James’s Park clash.
Here's everything Bruce said at today’s Benton presser.
1. Fitness update on DeAndre Yedlin & Andy Carroll
"They’ve got an outstanding chance. We’re just about to train now before we go down there. They trained yesterday and, as long as there’s no real setbacks, they’ve got a chance.” Photo: Catherine Ivill
2. Players playing for the shirt
“They’ve got their own pride. Whether they’re playing for me, they’re playing for the jersey. We know we’ve got a couple of games back-to-back very quickly so can we go and get a couple of results? If we can it will be a decent first half to the season.” Photo: Catherine Ivill
3. Bruce on the need for 'squad rotation' in the month of December
“Certainly over the next few weeks we’ll have to [change things]. When you look towards Boxing Day then the 28th – it’s a ridiculous schedule. We’ll have to adapt and have a bit of freshness when needed which is always the difficult part." Photo: Stu Forster
4. Bruce keen not to rush Florian Lejeune
"I had a conversation with him a week ago. I said 'you’ve had two big injuries, so the longer he trains, the better physically and mentally he becomes." Photo: Stu Forster