Pep Guardiola believes Steve Bruce deserves credit for delivering some stability to Newcastle United.
Manchester City and United were co-tourists during the Premier League's Asia Trophy last July when Guardiola spent time chatting with Bruce in Shanghai shortly after his mad dash to the country after being appointed as boss.
Guardiola's says United have turned from relegation battlers into mid-table material.
The former Barcelona star said: "He [Steve Bruce] arrived in pre-season when we met in China.
“He landed there to see the last friendly game and there were a lot of rumours but he has done incredibly well in the Premier League.
“He has already avoided relegation – last season they struggled most of the season until the end."
Newcastle may have lost in the FA Cup to City but picked up a creditable draw in the Premier League back in November.
He said: "It was tight and difficult and we dropped two more points, we didn’t have an incredible performance but once Kevin de Bruyne scored the goal we should have been able to finish the game.
“Newcastle always have threats.
“They are a team with good physicality but hopefully we can do a good game like we did a few games ago in the FA Cup."
