Bardsley off to Sheffield

Sheffield United are poised to complete the loan signing of defender Phil Bardsley from Manchester United.

With full-back Derek Geary ruled out for up to six weeks, manager Bryan Robson has acted quickly to help fill the void.

Bardsley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, but failed to do enough to secure a permanent switch to Villa Park.

Following The Red Devils' surprise Carling Cup exit at the hands of Coventry, Sir Alex Ferguson conceded his younger players would be departing on loan to retain their match sharpness.