The Sunderland manager, who served as Ferguson's captain at Old Trafford as he launched his dynasty, will head back to familiar territory on Saturday as the Black Cats provide the opposition for United with the Scot celebrating 25 years at the helm. Ferguson's trophy-laden tenure has established his place among the greatest club managers in world football, and having witnessed his work at close hand, Bruce cannot see anyone improving on his achievements. Asked if, when he first pulled on the famous red shirt, he would have expected the man he even now calls "boss" still to be going strong a quarter of a century on, he said: "No, I don't think anybody would. "To do 25 years? It will never be done again, never, especially at a club like Manchester United, where the huge demands on you are quite incredible. "But he seems to thrive on it. I spoke to him this morning at 7.40am, which is typical of him. "A game last night and he is in the office at 7.40am this morning, which is quite remarkable." Bruce, who will attend a gala dinner at Old Trafford Cricket Club on Thursday night to mark Ferguson's 25th anniversary, skippered the side which finally ended a 26-year wait for the league title in 1993. His memories of his time at United are vivid, but one in particular stands out as a pivotal moment. He said: "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. "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." If Bruce will enjoy a reunion on Saturday, defender John O'Shea will miss out as he nurses a hamstring injury which could sideline him for up to three weeks, meaning his participation in the Republic of Ireland's play-off double header against Estonia is in serious jeopardy. Bruce said: "He's certainly got no chance for Saturday, and looking at the first game for Ireland next Friday, I would have thought he's a huge doubt for that as well, which is a shame for the lad. "It's typical of the luck he's had, unfortunately, since he's been here. They are probably the two biggest games he has been looking forward to. "He might have a chance for the second one, but certainly I would have thought the first game would come a little bit too quickly for him." O'Shea aggravated an existing problem during last Saturday's 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw with Aston Villa, but keeper Simon Mignolet suffered even greater misfortune. The Belgium international underwent surgery to repair his broken nose last Sunday, but a scan has also revealed he fractured an eye socket and is likely to be out for up to two months. Summer signing Keiren Westwood will start a league game for the club for the first time, while Trevor Carson has been recalled from his loan spell at Bury with Craig Gordon not due to return to training until the end of the month. Midfielder David Vaughan is a major doubt with a groin problem, but there is better news of former United striker Fraizer Campbell, who visited his specialist this week to be told his recovery from a knee injury is three months ahead of schedule. Bruce said: "That's great news for him and something he thoroughly deserves."
