ONWARDS EVER ONWARDS

On injuries:

“There's nothing worrying. Maybe just a bit of tiredness, which you always get at this time of year with so many games. Other than that, everyone's fine.

"Mikael Silvestre got a neck injury against Blackburn, then did it again while doing some sit-ups. He travelled with us to Middlesbrough but we left him back in the hotel. He wasn't ready to play."

On the two defeats:

"It's frustrating. But they were two difficult away games, as their home form is very good this year. Middlesbrough are unbeaten at home and Blackburn's home form is very good. They're not easy venues, but we have to say we've been caught on counter-attacks.

“We were in control of both matches and got caught - that's what's frustrating. You have to make sure you've got the patience to play. If we'd had that we would have won.

"Yesterday we didn't make many chances really. They sat very tight to their back four, played very deep and invited us onto them. At Blackburn we had six great chances in the first half and they scored with their first attempt on goal. That's disappointing.

“Barthez had one save in the first half, so to lose a goal just before half-time was a killer blow. Losing another goal just after half-time was even worse. It was an uphill struggle after that. We did well to show the determination to get back into it, and at 2-1 it looked like we were going to do it. But their third goal, on the counter-attack, was always going to be a problem for us as we were risking so much.

"We have to win our next two games, Birmingham and Sunderland at home. Home form is going to be very important this season, I think. I'll look at our side in terms of freshness, and see where we can bring in one or two players.

“We'll have to see how Roy Keane is after the exertions of yesterday. That was his first full game at that level. He did remarkably well but we'll have to see how he's come through it. The other players have got the wherewithall to carry on, that's the way the English game is. One or two will need freshening up, though.

"It's vital to get a run together again. I don't know how it's happened, but we had a great run with twelve players to choose from, and when we get everyone back we start losing games. I don't know if it's coincidence, but it's certainly strange. They were difficult away games, though, but the other top teams will have to go to Blackburn and Middlesbrough and they'll find it difficult.

"It's a very tight League. There's a great determination from teams to make sure they stay in the Premiership, and that's why you're seeing so many low scores this season.”

On Bruce:

"Steve's done very well. He's got a lot of enthusiasm about him, and he was the same as a player. I'm sure his team reflect that. They're determined, enthusiastic, energetic and they have a great chance of staying in the Premiership as they're getting consistently good results.

"Any team that comes out of the First Division into the Premiership finds it difficult. There have been one or two exceptions - Ipswich had a golden season but went down the next season. It's important to get off to a good start, which Birmingham did. Hopefully they'll gather experience as they go along.”

Steve Bruce in the MEN:

"I would be lying if I said that the game at Old Trafford hadn't been ringed in my calendar. It has taken four or five years to get there and to pit your wits against the biggest and the best. So I will be proud to take a team to Manchester United but there will also be a little bit of trepidation.

"No matter what happens to you in your career after you have left United, everybody asks you about them.

"I have been left six and a half years yet people are still intrigued by it all and want to know some insight into why they have been such a great club.

"It was a great time for me and I loved every minute of it. It was a big part of my career and life for ten years. It was mainly wonderful but it wasn't always so because I remember 1988 to '90 and we were struggling.

"But for five years in the 90s it was a wonderful time. And 1993 was special when we won the title for the first time in 26 years. Of course, for me there is the memory of those late two goals against Sheffield Wednesday at Old Trafford when I headed in the winner almost seven minutes into injury time. I'm also very proud to have been captain.

"I get dozens of letters a week even now from all over the world and the one thing they recall is those goals against Wednesday.

"The '94 team was phenomenal. It had everything, strength, power, strong characters and skill. If it had stuck together it would have been fantastic but unfortunately it didn't play together long enough. It was pretty sad.

"I have worked very hard to get to this position of returning to United as a manager.

"There were times when I didn't think it was going to be possible. It wasn't just the ambition of walking out at Old Trafford but I wanted to try and succeed in this game. But football management at top level is difficult. You see the pressure the likes of Terry Venables and Gerard Houllier have been under.

"It was a tough time for me at the start of management. I kept sticking this big chin out and it keeps getting knocked but I was determined to keep trying again and have a go.

"All I wanted was a fair crack at it. If I got that and was not good enough I would have accepted it but there were times when I didn't think that was possible.

"There were times when I thought are you cut out for this? But I still enjoy getting up in the morning and going out on the training pitches. To be perfectly honest it is the fear of not knowing what else to do. I don't know anything else.

"Thankfully it has worked out well for me. I have had a great year at Birmingham. Our aim is to stay in the Premiership now and we strive on being difficult to beat.”