Bruce: The Turning Point For Fergie Was Wimbledon 88

It took Sir Alex Ferguson over three years to win his first trophy with Manchester United, after taking over the club during the 86-87 when the club had sunk to the relegation zone.

Steve Bruce, who captained United to their first title win in 92-93, has reflecting on the turning point in Ferguson’s reign. He believes that the performance from United against Wimbledon in the League Cup 1988 made Ferguson have a rethink of what kind of team he wanted to see wearing our shirt.

“There was a time when we were beaten by Wimbledon in the cup, and I think he looked around and thought we were bullied that day and were second best to a really aggressive Wimbledon team,” said Bruce. “Maybe that was – I don’t know, you would have to ask him – a defining moment, and from then on, he assembled a team which epitomised him, really, with a fierce determination to succeed. I was fortunate enough to play in it with the Schmeichels and Keanes and Inces and Cantonas and Robsons, and Hughes and Kanchelskis and Giggs and big Pally. It was a quite remarkable team he put together. Looking from afar now, that has been his great strength, how many teams he has built to go on from there and turn the tide.”