For more insight from Steve Bruce and other leading managers plus exclusive Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport


How much have Manchester United missed Nemanja Vidic following his injury this season?
Of course, they have missed Vidic but Jonny Evans has now played over 20 league games and has very quietly done extremely well. He's only 23, he's played in big games and has handled himself brilliantly. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have got all the headlines because they've had a meteoric rise, but I think Jonny Evans has done particularly well in filling the gap left by Vidic.


It's also important that Rio Ferdinand has come back and just given them that stability. I think defenders get better with age. Even though you might lose that half-yard of pace it gets easier. The art of defending lies in your concentration levels, and that is something which gets easier with age. It's particularly important at United, where you are constantly on the attack and you need to stay switched on even when you might not have too much to do.


English clubs have struggled in Europe this year; has the Barclays Premier League lost ground against the rest of Europe in recent seasons?
I don't think we've gone backwards as much as others have got stronger. I think it's just one of those years. It will be the first time in over 15 years that we haven't had anyone in the quarter-finals, but we need to wait and see if it continues. If anything, it could be a wake-up call. We just expect to go into Europe and win, but maybe this is a sign that we can't always get our own way. It might be the kick up the backside we need.


United have just gone top of the Premier League - how do you see the title race panning out?
They've had a wonderful run, and over January and February they have stayed the course. They had a tough run of games with matches against Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, and they have come through that. Now it will be interesting to see Manchester City's reaction. It is the first time they have been behind in five months. In the past, once United have got in front, they have stayed there over the last eight or 10 games. In the past they have run away with it and won the league by 10 or 12 points, but I don't think that will happen this time. From a neutral standpoint, let's hope City stay with them.


Having been part of the United side that ended a 26-year title drought, how difficult will it be for City to overcome the psychological barrier of going so long without winning the league?
We found that was the most difficult thing when we won it in '93. It doesn't matter how many talented players you have, make no mistake you get nervous. Back in '92 we lost a hell of a lead to Leeds, and in the end we choked, if I'm being honest. But the experience of that helped us the year after. The first one is always the most difficult one.


Your two late headers against Sheffield Wednesday will go down among the most famous moments in Manchester United history - How does it feel to have made such a pivotal contribution to United's success, and did you have any idea at the time how momentous it was?I didn't, because there were still five games to go, including two days later at Coventry when we won 1-0 and Denis Irwin blasted one in. But those headers have become pivotal, and I could retire on them if I wanted to! But I was delighted to get the opportunity to go to Manchester United. When you go there you realise what a big club and an institution it is. To play for nearly 10 years, win trophies and captain them…. I don't really go back to the goals; to captain them for the best part of five years was a wonderful experience. It's a fantastic club.


Many of your Manchester United colleagues have gone into management - Mark Hughes, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Paul Ince to name four. What was it about players in that team that made them good management material?
I think all of us in that team loved the game so much. The one thing we wanted to do when we stopped playing was stay in football, and that was the natural progression. I thought maybe I would coach kids, but then I got the opportunity at Sheffield United to go into management. It's a difficult time for a footballer when you come to the end of your playing days and you want to stay in the game. You become institutionalised, in a way. I loved football, loved training, and being involved on a Saturday. So management was the next step.


What player that has graced the Barclays Premier League in the past 20 years stands out for you and why?
I think there is two. The achievement of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, to play 900 and 700-odd games respectively for Manchester United is remarkable. To still have the hunger and desire to be as good as they are is remarkable. Look at their achievements, year in, year out, in the Barclays Premier League. And Scholes is still able to come back after six months out and give United a lift. As much as anything, it's testament to his fitness and professionalism that he can make such an impact.


For more insight from Steve Bruce and other leading managers plus exclusive Premier League highlights go to www.yahoo.co.uk/sport