BRUCE BACKED BY HIS OLD PAL

GARY PALLISTER admits the knives are out for old pal Steve Bruce but has told the Newcastle manager’s critics: “Write him off at your peril!”

Under-fire Bruce takes his relegation-threatened Magpies to Manchester United tonight aiming for a shock victory to boost their fight against the drop.

The Toon lie just one place above the relegation places and Bruce has faced heavy criticism all season over his side’s shortcomings and style of play.

Yet former Red Devils central defensive partner Pallister, 55, blasted: “I cringe when I see some of the flak Brucey has received and think, ‘He’s getting this from his own kind of people’.

“The club is looking to be sold and Newcastle don’t splash out riches that other clubs do in the Premier League, so it’s a difficult job for Steve.

“I just think people need a bit more appreciation of what he’s trying to do.

“He’s got his head down, has not listened to the detractors and is trying to make sure that Newcastle are still in the Premier League when they are finally sold.

“Brucey’s a resilient guy, so he’ll take the knocks and roll with it.”

Pallister (above) won nine major trophies at Old

Trafford, including four

Premier League titles.

Three of those championship successes came alongside Bruce

(right), and

Pallister has many happy memories of playing with the former United skipper. He added: “There are too many to list, but the 1991 European Cup Winners’ Cup final win over Barcelona in Rotterdam was special.

“But if I could go back to one moment with Brucey it would be his two goals against Sheffield Wednesday in April 1993 because that win helped us to go on and end 26 years of pain.

“Brucey was as brave as a lion when it came to winning headers.

“He didn’t mind taking a few cuts and a broken nose to get on the end of a cross and score.

“It’s probably why he scored more goals than me.”

Newcastle’s 1-0 home win over United last season was Bruce’s first-ever Premier League victory against them as a manager after 21 previous attempts.

Pallister added: “Man United are obviously expected to win, but recently slipped up against Sheffield United and West Brom so I’m sure that will give Brucey and his lads some hope.”

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has also come under scrutiny at times and Pallister said of his former teammate: “Earlier this season, when United were losing games at home, different names were being bandied about for the job, so you felt for Ole. “But when you’re at a club like Manchester United, as a player or a manager, you’ve got to be prepared for any criticism. I think Ole, at this moment in time, is on the right track and has restored a belief to the fans that United are getting better.”