Boss expects instant impact from Bardsley

Derek Geary's on-going fitness problems have forced the United manager to divert temporarily from his main task of identifying someone capable of adding a dash of creativity to the team's industrious midfield.

With United in desperate need of a positive sequence of results - they will take to the field against Preston North End on Saturday languishing 20th in the Championship table - Robson is acutely aware that any new arrivals must be able to have an immediate impact on the club's fortunes.

Having progressed through the ranks at Manchester United, Bardsley possess the experience required to handle the pressure which, should Robson's men suffer another disappointing result this weekend, could become almost intolerable.

"With Derek being out I felt we needed someone to give us a bit more balance," Robson said. "Phil is the right person to do that. He can come in straight away and do a job for us because he knows what the score is.

"Phil is a good professional and that's important but he's also straining at the leash to play first team football.

"Manchester United went out of the Carling Cup earlier than they probably expected and so there are players there than they obviously want to get out on loan."

Which, given Robson's refusal to sacrifice on quality despite suffering a series of well-publicised setbacks in the transfer market, suggests that another call to his former employers could well be in the pipeline.

Wolves-bound Darron Gibson may have proved elusive but Sir Alex Ferguson prides himself on having a small army of midfield generals at his disposal and losing to Coventry at the third round stage of the competition has robbed him of the opportunity to assess some of them in the heat of battle.

Crucially Bardsley, whose only appearance of the season so far came in that 2-0 defeat, plays in a manner that should ensure minimum disruption to a back four which has been ravaged by injuries and suspension.

Like Geary, Gary Naysmith and Chris Armstrong he is tenacious in the tackle and, importantly, he also likes to press forward.

Bardsley's fiercely competitive streak was evident when, during a recent loan spell at Glasgow Rangers, he was briefly axed by Paul Le Guen following an over-zealous tackle on Thomas Buffel in training.

The 22-year-old, who has also enjoyed spells at Royal Antwerp and Burnley, tasted UEFA Cup action at Ibrox before accepting Martin O'Neill's invitation to join Aston Villa.

Bardsley played eight times alongside Gary Cahill, who recently joined United on loan, and the knowledge they gleaned should stand them in good stead now.

Bardsley is scheduled to spend three months in South Yorkshire but, Robson may look to make the signing permanent.