Manchester United were made to wait 13 days for their redemption following a humiliating home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but got back to winning ways in style on Tyneside.
The hosts couldn't protect their single goal advantage that was gifted in the opening minutes through a calamitous Luke Shaw own goal.
For the Newcastle United, it was an uninspiring display solidifying fears from large sectors of supporters, whose patience seem to be wearing thin.
Bruce's men couldn't capitalise on their fortuitous start despite Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson going close either side of the break.
It was a tense and tiring watch with both sides struggling to find fluidity with their passing play, but ultimately Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men had too much in the end.
Bruno Fernandes made immense for a rare missed penalty by clinching the second, and the gloss was added to the score-line by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Marcus Rashford in stoppage time.
Bruce's side fall short of where they want to be
It wasn't a 90 minutes for the ages, and whilst the hosts sat and dug in for the majority, there was a shortcoming in terms of cutting edge.
There was no room for Miguel Almiron or Ryan Fraser in the starting line up on the back of their international duties, which might have been a brave call from the boss.
It was another outing where the goalkeeper stood out as man of the match, despite Karl Darlow shipping four and seemingly playing the last quarter of an hour with a knock.
Bruce will know his side need more of the ball for longer spells in the future if they are to have any chance of beating some of the tougher sides coming up.
They did it for prolonged spells against Burnley, but against tougher opposition in Man United yesterday it was a struggle.
Magpies may have no choice but to change personnel next weekend
To compound Newcastle's misery, Isaac Hayden - who has been an ever-present in midfield since lockdown - trudged off with a hamstring problem.
With Sean Longstaff left out due to injury and brother Matty lacking match fitness, Jeff Hendrick may have to slot in centrally at Wolves.
Reports suggest Darlow's injury was just a knock, and it needs to be given his contributions so far this season.
From the outset, it seems clear where they are struggling, but nothing is ever straight forward in this division.
It will be an important few days for Bruce on the training ground, and he will no doubt be casting an eye on tomorrow's U23 game against Fulham where M.Longstaff, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett are set to feature.
It is perhaps too early to begin worrying too much, but the pressure will be ramped up for a performance next weekend.