Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has revealed he received advice from former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson prior to the Magpies' memorable victory against United at the weekend.
Bruce opted to hand Matty Longstaff his Premier League debut alongside his brother Sean - who is a transfer target for United.
His decision proved to be a wise one with the youngster slamming home the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute to condemn United to another defeat in the Premier League.
The result leaves United just two points above the relegation zone, without a win in three league games, their worst start to a season since 1989.
Bruce - a former Man Utd player - revealed that he regularly calls Sir Alex Ferguson for advice and the pair spoke prior the United clash.
"I always ring Sir Alex for a bit of advice now and again and I've spoken to him a couple of times," he told The Guardian .
"He's been terrific. If there's ever a time you need advice, he's always there to help.
"I saw him on Monday night at Old Trafford but you don't want to know what he said to me."
Defeat against Newcastle has piled the pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but Bruce offered the Norwegian a message of support after the game.
He said: "They've got horrific injury problems and until they get them all back the Premier League can be unforgiving.
"But I'm sure Ole will turn it around."
Delvin1
2662
Ole’s Wife: Darling The market is opened and I’m going Now. You need a beer? Ole: Honey please Buy me 2 Strikers, 3 Defenders 4 Midfielders 😰😢😭
kkstyles04
985
5 mins of advice from SAF tactically outclassed all plans Solskjaer made over days.......Levels!
Rammy-Asante
84
Cos Fergie has been giving advice to ole every single game and he is not obeying so why won't he advice Bruce cos he too is united legend. Ole at the wheel indeed
DaMhztourage
72
They were doing advice triangles, SAF advised Bruce , while Bruce encouraged Ole after Utd lost to Newcastle, probably Ole advised SAF to stop giving to other coaches 😂😂
Ernesta
57
Did He advice u for the 5 nil lost at Leicester I believe you can't voice that one out It's a pity
Prashant_Moktan
53
if united board could lure these players, jorghino would be great player who can keep the ball and tempo of the game under control which united lacks, pogba up front, with his undeniable supply of balls to forwards, a strong partnership could be set up between harry and umtiti, with umtiti bringing experience of bigger games which united lacks, a sharp forward timo would be great, and finally the x factor dybala, who could change the course of the game, this team could soak pressure, could counter, could control the game. if was the manager, i would go for this lineup, these players could be lured, if shown some real effort
Tuzbdnr
45
Alex do not want any coach will success at man united after hos legacy,he his also has a hand to destroyed Man united he left wreck ship with out any good players except aged Roney.
viaelmnsz
43
Sir Alex loved his players, he still loves his club but more importantly he loves more the game. He and his squad not only gave me headaches but others migranes, he also gave liverpool there worst nightmare. Did he not support us in the UCL final? he could have killed our sent off keeper. no matter what...love him or loathe him. He is a legend, all should admire however painful he made it. twas his job...and he did it. by doing just that , he made the premier league competitive and now the best along with wenger. Would man city and liverpool be where they are without his acheivements? pep and klopp would be in other leagues I guess. go the premier league! and as a die hard arsenal man, I know man u will be back stronger and better. it's a matter of time...
yezcdklors
43
You are sure Olee will turn it around Bruce? After you collected your 3 points, Bruce which team do you expect Olee will turn it around from their 3 points? I hope not against the liver bird 🦅. YNWA
Soccermonster
38
Go back to the 4-4-2 formation it can never get worse than this because 4-4-2 always protect every departments on the pitch, it press high automatically even without pressing. That’s why United do get goals back then. If you had want to win matches, you need to score goals. Athletico Madrid is still using the formation with some average players and they are playing very well. Everyone playing 4-3-3. Our midfield is not good then we should make use of 4, we need goals then 2 strikers isn’t bad. Dalot will do good crosses likewise James, they can both support Wan Bissaka and Rojo/Shaw respectively. Pogba will have 4 options of doing his long pass forward instead of 1 in the 4-2-3-1 formation. We have got James, Martial, Rashford and Dalot running forward. United never had a DFM, we only make use of 2 CM, they play box to box, Pogba and McTominay can do box to box. Ole, you played 4-4-2 all of your life, you know about the tactic under SAF so go back to SEF drawing board and stop been adamant. Call SEF to recommend players who can player with 4-4-2 tactic, play videos for the players doing free time, let them understand the power behind 4-4-2.
Dewakryz
36
This is bogus why Alex Ferguson is advicing the team that he never coached.Does he want Ole to b sacked😠
madcow
35
I starting to think Ole's success last season was because SAF was doing everything for him.