Steve Bruce open to stunning Man Utd return ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrival

The 62-year-old has been out of work for a year, now, having left West Bromwich Albion after just six months in October last year.

Bruce has been enjoying a period away from the game in the time since, having been involved regularly over the past 50 years or so.

However, he's now admitted he's got itchy feet and is eyeing a return to football in the foreseeable future.

"Up until this year I'd had around 46 years unbroken," he exclusively told GB News, via Gambling Zone.

"So it [his break away] has been a little bit difficult at times.

"But I forced myself to stay away a little bit, you know. So now I'm getting itchy feet, I'm still thinking about what I'm going to do next."

Before Bruce became a manager he was an impressive centre-back for Manchester United, helping the club win three Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson.

He was also skipper of the club, who have struggled ever since Ferguson's emotional retirement a decade ago.

Bruce has sympathised with current boss Erik ten Hag, expressing a belief injuries are behind their turbulent start to the current season.

And he's also looked ahead to the imminent arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is poised to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club.

"You never want to make that [the outside noise] an excuse," he said.

"I honestly believe they've been really, really badly hampered with injuries - especially defensively.

"And when your forward line isn't really quite firing the way anybody would like, then you need that defensive stability.

"Defensively they've been racked with the likes of Luke Shaw missing for large, large periods.

"I don't think they've had a really settled back four and the quicker that comes the better.

"I feel Ten Hag has been dealt an awful deal with the number of injuries they've had.

"But they're still sixth or seventh, you know, and obviously there needs to be an improvement from their early season form."

Ratcliffe will be charged with the task of ensuring United's football department do their best work, with the club lacking experts over the past decade.

Richard Arnold has already announced he'll be leaving Old Trafford, with John Murtough one man who could follow him out of the exit door.

And Bruce thinks United will improve once Ratcliffe comes in and the uncertainty around the club comes to an end.

"I think they'll have an overall look and see [what to do]," the 62-year-old added.

"I think what's been key to Newcastle's success is they've put people in the top of the club who know what they're doing, have been there and done it, worn the t-shirt.

"Maybe the new owner will look to that and look for a different start, maybe. Put people in the top end of the club and perhaps take them in a different direction."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

• Tyson Fury's father sets alarm bells ringing ahead of blockbuster Oleksandr Usyk fight - 'A decline'
• Lewis Hamilton turns tables on Christian Horner and reveals sensational message from Red Bull chief
• Oscar Pistorius' life in prison including being beaten up, complaints and meeting Reeva Steenkamp's father

So would Bruce himself be interested in being part of United's future under Ratcliffe?

"Oh well of course," he admitted.

"But that's not me putting myself forward at anything, but we know it's [having a sporting director] something now which has become very, very popular within clubs.

"We've seen clubs where it's worked very, very well. Gone are the days when the manager runs everything.

"You see jobs come up now with the title head coach, because they [directors] are putting things in place for the long term future of the club.

"And that can only benefit, of course, any football club."