Steve Bruce's impressive record against Sheffield United ahead of West Brom clash

Steve Bruce returns to Bramall Lane on Wednesday looking to extend his impressive record against Sheffield United.

The 61-year-old was the Blades’ player-manager in 1998/99 - his first year as a coach - before resigning after just one season in charge due to boardroom unrest.

Following his sacking by Newcastle in October, Bruce told The Telegraph that he may call it quits on a 23-year career in management, citing the criticism he received on Tyneside as the final straw.

However, after less than four months in the footballing wilderness, Bruce is back after taking the reins at West Brom.

His return to the touchline takes Bruce to where it all started in the late-90s, when he guided Sheff Utd to an eighth-place finish in the old First Division.

Bruce has been no stranger to the Blades since his departure. In fact, Sheff Utd have been an easy scalp for him at the 11 clubs he has gone on to manage.

An impressive record reads: 10 wins, two draws and two defeats, with the most recent fixture a 1-0 victory for his Newcastle side in the penultimate game of last season.

Bruce’s joint-biggest win against United came on his immediate return back in October 1999. His Huddersfield team dismantled the Blades 4-1 at Hillsborough just five months after leaving in May..

However, the Blades have inflicted some embarrassment on their former manager over the years.

A winless Sheff Utd humiliated Newcastle 1-0 in January last year to claim their first victory of the season and ramp up the pressure on the Magpies’ under-fire boss.

Also, Bruce suffered a 4-1 hiding as Aston Villa manager in September 2018, with Jack O’Connell, Mark Duffy, Oliver Norwood and Billy Sharp grabbing the goals.

Paul Heckingbottom and his Sheff Utd side should