Steve Bruce reveals why he dropped Nabil Bentaleb

Bentaleb was dropped for the weekend’s Premier League home game against Burnley, which ended goalless.

The 25-year-old midfielder had been pitched into the starting XI following his January move from Schalke 04, where he hadn't played a first-team game for nine months.

However, the return of Jonjo Shelvey to fitness gave Bruce, United’s head coach, a decision to make against Burnley. In the end, Shelvey and Isaac Hayden were recalled to his starting XI.

“He’s played five games, and Jonjo was fit,” said Bruce. “In seven of the eight game we’ve won, I think Jonjo and Isaac have played together. So that’s the reasoning why. Jonjo fit brings something to the team. When you look at statistics, those two playing together gets a positive result. That’s why.”