Steve Bruce responds angrily when asked about his future whilst former player Alan Shearer lets rip at the club’s vision and future.
Javier Manquillo’s second-half equaliser for Newcastle proved in vain with the 4-1 win, bolstered by goals from Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard, taking Manchester United top of the table at the final whistle.
Cristiano Ronaldo, back in United red for the first time since leaving in 2009, opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time.
And while Javier Manquillo made it 1-1 on the counter-attack, Ronaldo was not to be denied, restoring the lead in front of the Stretford End.
Bruno Fernandes produced a stunning strike from distance which was followed by Jesse Lingard’s late effort which sealed the victory.
After being asked if he had heard the away fans calling for his head, Steve Bruce snapped: ‘What can I say to that? What do you want me to say? I’m delighted about it? I can’t comment on that, I’m sorry.’
He was also as upset about being asked about the preparations for the game and his holiday.
‘I really have to answer that to you,’ he said. ‘That’s what the fans are asking are they? It’s typical of the questions I get off you.
‘We trained all week, we were in every day. Our preparation was meticulous, let me tell you. What was I supposed to do when I had six of them away? The preparation was fine. You can see the game plan we worked to.’
That came after an awkward pre-match press conference on Friday when he confirmed over wanting new signings in the transfer window despite a club statement pointing out that £160million has been spent on new players in two years under him and that he was aware of spending limits this summer.
💬 “That’s what the fans are asking, are they?”
‼️ Steve Bruce was not happy when asked about whether he had been on holiday in the build-up to #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/s4Kns38epT
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) September 11, 2021
Newcastle have conceded 12 goals in their opening four Premier League games of the season, losing three of them.
‘There a lot of positives to take out of performance, but defensively we’re not doing enough,’ admitted Bruce.
‘It’s a shame because up to half-time I can’t remember our keeper making a save. We get punished by a little deflection and the goalkeeper spills it and Ronaldo has tap-in which is cruel on us.
‘If there is a genuine superstar among everyone, then this kid is with what he has achieved. We have witnessed it again today. He is something else.’
Alan Shearer ‘sick’ of what Newcastle have become as an ’empty football club’, venting a furious reaction to where the club find themselves in.
“It’s a hollow and an empty football club, there’s no hope or ambition.”
Alan Shearer says he hates what Newcastle has become and the fans deserve better.#motd #nufc #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/QJ0kZa4PZf
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 11, 2021
“I hate what my club is or has become,” he told Match of the Day. “It’s been a long time now. It’s a hollow and it’s an empty football club. There’s no hope or ambition and I’m pretty sick of it to be honest. It’s copy, paste, repeat every season.
“They give players that have been at the football club new contracts because they can’t sell them on then they have the excuse that they can’t bring other players into the football club because those players are being paid a salary.
“It’s cheaper to keep them on the books rather than buying other players and the fans deserve better. Every manager has the same problems. As I said, it’s copy, paste, repeat every season.”
As Steve Bruce responds angrily when asked about his future and Alan Shearer lets rip on MOTS, fans gave their reaction…
ON STEVE BRUCE:
@leom1993: Great question if you ask me
@Man_about_Toon: Took you long enough to ask him but glad you finally did. Notice he didn’t deny it
@Luke9S: Really poor question from @lee_ryder, I don’t want him as manager but people are entitled to time off work. #NUFC
@CapitalG5000: #nufc didn’t have a game between 23rd May and 17th July when pre season started. I would have thought that was the ideal time to take a break.
@Steve_Killian1: Hats off to @lee_ryder. The international break is the perfect time to work to get an advantage over a team of international players who wouldn’t have been able to train together. It makes the difference between a manager who cares and one who doesn’t. We know which one Bruce is.
@Danners72: 👏👏👏 @lee_ryder thank you for finally eing the one with the backbone to ask the question. He needs calling out. Just out of interest..how many of the starting 11 were away?? #nufc
@WayneHaselden: Fair play to @lee_ryder for putting this to him. I’ve often said the local media is sometimes soft on Bruce and the club in general so good on you for sticking your neck out and asking this 👏🏻👏🏻
@greggas90: Whats the point in having a journalist who is gonna ask the same old questions like, what went wrong, what could you have done better etc! Thank you for asking a question what the fans want, maybe ask more questions from the fans lee, your already hated by the man!
ON ALAN SHEARER:
@lc_curry: Well said @alanshearer 👏 on the button there!!
@ALSP8: @alanshearer is correct – the owner has sucked away all the passion I had for #NUFC. I’m happier watching and enjoying #NonLeague football these days.
@madashington: Spot on, after 30 years a supporter I couldn’t be bothered to check the result today.
@KnackerNed: I appreciate how careful Alan must be with his comments on #MOTD – So, taking into account those constraints, “hollow and empty” and “no hope or ambition” sums up our club perfectly under Ashley.
@SeanyG1203: Newcastle United are a football zombie going through the motions and it will inevitably bite them square in the arse. Relegation and beyond. The recent proposed takeover was never about been the richest club in the world, but about reclaiming an institution that has been lost
@callumkitson: Maybe if the league didn’t potentially illegally (court case pending) prevent Newcastle of new ownership then likely we wouldn’t be in this position.
@lc_curry: Having thought about this again, @alanshearer did leave something out. And that is that other coaches, could get better out of this team. We know the main problem is Ashley BUT Bruce has had £130m spent and a better coach get more out of this team and that is obvious.
@fORgEtMeAlWays_: How can anybody listen to this man and not at least try to understand? How on earth can the ridiculous ‘expectations’ narrative actually continue? Its alarming how bad it’s been for so long.
@stevie7fc: Steve Bruce is the biggest charlatan working in football management working under Ashley’s business model of minimal spend no cup runs finish 17th or above repeat. I don’t complain because after 45 years of supporting my club I’ve never set foot in St James’ park since Bruce came
@Cullercoats11: No mention of the stalled #NUFCTakeover that the @premuerleague refuse to deal with. Huge investment was ready and waiting. @alanshearer
@shanefagan: I don’t even think it’s wages, it’s poor commercial management. Ashley has one strategy and it’s been failing since day 1 at the club
@Chris_Roberts__: Absolutely hit the nail on the head @alanshearer it’s a absolute shambles of a clue atm. So sad to see.
@conlig2: Absolutely spot on Alan. My feelings exactly.
@1892NUFC2: 100% correct
— Montymagic69 (@MontyMagic69) September 11, 2021
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