STEVE Bruce has hailed Rio Ferdinand as a "Rolls Royce" defender.
Ferdinand's comeback story has been given the seal of approval from Manchester United defensive legend Bruce.
The Birmingham City boss is working on how to crack the Reds' improved rearguard at St Andrews tomorrow and he knows that Ferdinand's form has set him no easy task.
"I think Rio has been quite unbelievable the way he has come back," Steve said.
"I was at his first match back against Liverpool and I thought he was outstanding.
"The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he has never looked like he has been away. If you didn't know, you wouldn't guess he's been suspended for eight months.
"I saw Eric Cantona's return at Old Trafford in 1995 and I have to say that Rio has handled it all as impeccably as Eric did.
"Both had an incredible amount of media attention on them but returned looking very good and making an impact.
"Rio is what we call a Rolls Royce defender. He's got so much in his locker and does everything so smoothly and effortlessly."
Bruce formed a legendary centre-back partnership with Gary Pallister from 1989 until his departure from the club in 1996.
It helped the Reds to have the meanest defence in the business and formed the foundation for Sir Alex Ferguson's trophy breakthrough.
"The key to my successful partnership with Pally was the fact that we played for around five or six seasons together, virtually unbroken," Steve added.
Rotation
"We rarely missed a game. There was no rest for us. There wasn't any of this rotation and freshening up for Gary and me. Fergie used to take a whip to us!
"But we wanted to play and we enjoyed it and that consistency of selection helped us and the team.
"Rio Ferdinand is a fantastic player, no matter who his partner in defence would be, but I think it is essential for him to have a sidekick who'll be there with him for a long time to come."
While Bruce is suffering a striker crisis ahead of United's visit, he also looks on enviously at Fergie's August capture of '29m Wayne Rooney.
"Sometimes you see someone who just takes your breath away and Wayne Rooney does that," Bruce added.
"He is an unbelievable talent. Whether he is playing for England or Manchester United he plays the game like he is playing in the local park.
"Thank God he's English and also that he has gone to the right club to allow his game to develop.
"Being with Alex Ferguson will mean he'll be protected and nurtured properly. He's done it before with Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. There is nobody better for Rooney."
How impressed have you been with Rio's comeback? Have your say.
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How can you not be impressed by Ferdinand return. He has been amazing. It the type of form that we paid big money for. He is only 25 years old which is tremendous as defenders tend to get better as they get older. When he reaches 27-28 he could just be the best defender in the world. I can still remeber when we were trying to sign Ferdinand from Leeds. I don't think i had ever been so excited by a signing, not even Rooney. Everday was spent checking what was happening and if the deal had got closer. When the rumours first surfaced i dismissed then completley not believing Leeds would sell to Man Utd. But he came out of World Cup 2002 as the best defender and Man Utd had to get him. Ferdinand wasn't brilliant in his first season but his form had improved until his suspension. But now Ferdinand seems like a new man. More commited and focus on Manchester United and his football. I felt he was to relax and maybe became complacent once he got a move to Man Utd. That has all changed because of his suspension. I would expect Ferdinand to play every game for Man Utd this season, just like Bruce and Palister did when they were playing. Tommorow game against Birmingham is crucial as are all the games now. We have to play Arsenal with the chance of reducing the point difference to 6.
I almost fainted when the FA suspended Rio, savagely, for 8 months last Dec. Of course the FA was motivated to do this for other reasons other than justice in football. Why have players who have missed the test been punished less? Why have players who have tested positive gone with lesser punishment.
Time is humankind's best friend. Rio is back and is showing is the best defender in the world. He is fabulous and our season is back too. And Mark Palios left the FA in shame.
Poor England; they could not win 2004 without Rio, or so I wished.
Go on real, you are the best.
Steve Bruce made the most accurate description of Rio's style..a Roys Royce..smooth and efficient. Maybe after tat, Rolls Royce will hire Rio as their image representative..haha. But Rio's asset is not just at being smooth..he not just tall n quick..most impt is he reads the game very well. He has cut out his long ball habits n improve tremendously on his distribution. If I were to name players that are worth their very place in MU, Rio is the 1st on the list. Im not into this oh-Rio-is-back-craze but ve to admit Rio has been magnificent. The other I wld keep will be Heinz, Mikeal(reserve), Scholes, Roo, RvN, Saha, Smith, Ronaldo. The rest r either good on the bench or in another club!! Period