Steve Bruce grateful for Sheffield United spell

Hull City boss Steve Bruce has revealed that his brief spell in charge of Sheffield United earlier in his career helped put him on a "learning curve" in football management.

Bruce made his dugout bow for the Blades in 1998 before departing the following summer, but ahead of his team's FA Cup semi-final with the League One club, the Tigers chief has placed on record his gratitude for his former employers.

The 53-year-old is quoted by Sportinglife.com as saying: "I'll be eternally grateful to them because the one thing it did was give me a chance in management.

"It put me on a learning curve, very quickly. I think that I had six chief executives in one year and they were difficult times. That's an understatement."

The winner of Sunday's fixture will play either Arsenal or Wigan Athletic in the final.