Rafa Benitez gives his verdict on Steve Bruce's start to life at Newcastle United

The Spaniard left United in the summer for Dalian Yifang and was replaced by Bruce, who was managing in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday.

While it has taken Bruce and his team time to settle in the Premier League, the last two performances have started to win over fans with goals and chances proving plentiful.

And Benitez admits he is keeping a close eye on United from China, as he is with his other clubs and the rest of the Premier League.

"I think when you talk about my Newcastle or my Liverpool, you cannot compare them with these teams now," Benitez told the BBC.

"It is totally different, the time is different, the league is different, but both are doing well.

"Newcastle United, I will say after we were promoted and had two years in the Premier League, I think that they are doing well.

"We finished, some people don't remember, but we finished really well when we signed Miguel Almiron. We finished seventh in the second half of the league if you just use the second part of the league.

"Now, it is a new team, a new manager and they have spent some money. I think he [Steve Bruce] is doing well.

"People try to compare every year and it is totally different. I am happy because both teams are doing well but I follow all the Premier League, and then it is not just these two teams.”