Source: Team_Talk
Bruce hopes young guns go for it
Steve Bruce hopes Jordan Henderson and David Meyler can do for Sunderland what Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes have done for Manchester United.[LNB] The four men could find themselves in direct opposition at the Stadium of Light on Sunday as the much-decorated United duo attempt to keep alive their dreams of adding another Premier League winners' medal to their impressive hauls.[LNB]Giggs and Scholes, along with David Beckham, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, have formed the basis of successive teams at Old Trafford for a generation after emerging from the youth set-up to drive forward Sir Alex Ferguson's domination of English football.[LNB]Bruce, who witnessed their introduction first hand as one of Ferguson's keystones, is well placed to judge their contribution to a procession of trophies, and is hoping his talented youngsters can help signal a new phase in Sunderland's development.[LNB]Asked if Henderson and Meyler, who signed new five-year contracts last weekend after forcing their way into the first team this season, could save him millions of pounds, Bruce replied: "They already have done, especially Jordan.[LNB]"Jordan and David Meyler have got big futures here - that's why we have rewarded them both with five-year contracts.[LNB]"[Martyn] Waghorn and [Jack] Colback coming back [from loan spells at Leicester and Ipswich respectively] - can they go and do what those two have done?[LNB]"There's nothing better for any manager, even if you are manager of Manchester United, if you have a group of young players coming through together. They have got an outstanding chance."[LNB]Nineteen-year-old Henderson in particular has made a huge impression this season, and has been named the club's official and the fans' Young Player of the Year.[LNB]Bruce said: "Jordan has had a wonderful season and has rightly been chosen as Young Player of the Year.[LNB]"He's had a fantastic first full season, and I think that's just the tip of the iceberg of what he is going to achieve because I do believe, if he keeps his feet on the ground, we have got a very, very good player in the making."[LNB]Even he, however, has a long way to go if he is to achieve anything like the accolades which have come the way of United's famous crop of home-grown stars.[LNB]Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville could all be involved this weekend as they attempt to reel in leaders Chelsea with their glittering careers approaching their finales.[LNB]Giggs, like Beckham before him, has long been feted for his central role in the club's success, but former team-mate Bruce believes Scholes has been even more pivotal.[LNB]He said: "He's a manager's dream. Out of them all, for me, he has arguably over the last two decades been as good as you get in the Premier League.[LNB]"He is a fantastic player with fantastic ability. He has got the lot.[LNB]"It's just a shame that he hasn't played for England [in recent years]. I don't know what happened there.[LNB]"But for me, Scholesy was the greatest of them all. He was fantastic - and still is.[LNB]"I saw him produce an unbelievable performance - the one against Manchester City. Not just the goal, but his overall performance was just fantastic to watch.[LNB]"With those three now coming to an end, how do you replace them? They have been absolutely magnificent footballers from day one, and they have still got this hunger and appetite to get more.[LNB]"That's why I know for a fact that Manchester United will play at their best, because they are used to rising to the challenge, especially over the last 15 years.[LNB]"They have never, ever let themselves down and not performed on the big occasion."
