Maybe I was a bit naive, says Bruce (after 17th attempt to beat United)

Sunderland manager claims injuries forced him into attacking formation that United negated with ease

Steve Bruce is still waiting for his first victory over Sir Alex Ferguson in 17 games and the Sunderland manager admitted yesterday, following his side's 2-0 defeat, that he was "naïve" to pick such an open, attacking team at Old Trafford.

Bruce was without seven first-team players for the game against Manchester United and said that he had little choice but to pick a side with two wingers and two strikers. "Maybe I was a bit naïve to think we could do it but to be fair I didn't have much choice," he said.

"We were so open with two out-and-out wide players and two out-and-out attackers but with the sickness and injuries in the squad there was not much we could do about. When we beat Chelsea [at Stamford Bridge] we had a full team. That doesn't take away from the lads who were playing but we felt we were well beaten."

Bruce, whose team host Blackpool tomorrow, will have the United loan signing Danny Welbeck (ineligible yesterday) and Lee Cattermole back from suspension as well as Kieran Richardson and Titus Bramble in contention. Yesterday he was forced into playing Christian Riveros in midfield and Bolo Zenden and Steed Malbranque on the wing.

On United's title prospects, Bruce said that he expected Ferguson's team to get even better in the new year. "They have been first or second for the last six years," he said. "They have been there or thereabouts and usually they get better from now on in.

"On their first-half performance that is arguably the best they have played. I have seen them destroy Blackburn Rovers and I thought they could have scored three or four against Arsenal. They always get better in the second half of the season.

"They are unbeaten in 17 games and six months and top of the league with games in hand. History tells you they will get better. They have a couple of big games coming up but you wouldn't bet against them."

Ferguson blamed his team for "putting down their tools" in the second half after a pulsating opening 20 minutes in which they dominated Sunderland. "It was a comfortable performance," he said. "The first half was absolutely fantastic and we could have scored many more.

"In the second half we maybe put the tools away a little bit and saved ourselves. We knew the Birmingham game [against Everton] was off and we play them [tomorrow]. We were economical. I think we have come into form in the last few weeks. There has been some good stuff. There was consistency, particularly with the defending, and that is a good sign."

Ferguson rested Darren Fletcher, who had a cold, and Luis Nani (hip problem) but said that both should be back in contention for tomorrow's game. As for Wayne Rooney, he has still not scored from open play for United since his goal against Bayern Munich at the end of March.

Ferguson said: "He had a couple of tries [against Sunderland]. He was very unlucky with the chip [that went over] and had a couple saved by the goalkeeper. He is getting there but the important thing is that he is playing well. That is refreshing.

"[Berbatov] could have scored four or five. He has some terrific opportunities and was very unlucky with a couple of them. Birmingham will be nice and fresh. It is always a difficult game there and they have a strong home record. We are aware of that. I will make a couple of changes and freshen it up and hopefully we will get the result."