Steve Bruce admits he has regrets over how he left Manchester United in 1996 and actually thinks Sir Alex Ferguson got things right.

Bruce had been a fantastic servant for United for nearly a decade, making more than 400 appearances and winning several trophies, including the inaugural Premier League trophy after the breakaway from the First Division.

However, he left the club just days after being omitted from the 1996 FA Cup final team that beat Liverpool 1-0.

His exit has always been a controversial one and Roy Keane, who later captained the club, admitted he did not like the way Ferguson treated Bruce, and Bryan Robson.

Speaking to Off The Ball, Keane said: “I was at the club when Bryan Robson left, I was at the club when Steve Bruce left, two brilliant servants for Man United and I didn’t like the way they were treated at the end.

“People talk about Ferguson’s man management, don’t be kidded on by all of it.

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“Ferguson came out of it after and said he always did what was best for Manchester United - nonsense!”

Bruce, who was signed by Ferguson from Norwich in 1987, harbours no ill feeling towards his former boss and opened up on his regrets.

He told talkSPORT during an appearance on White and Jordan: “The one regret in all my time was leaving Man United, I left in a bit of a huff because I didn’t get picked for the cup final.

“It was Sir Alex’s way of easing me out the door. Looking back on it now, I hated it at the time but I fully understand it.

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