Manchester United fullback Phil Bardsley admits he could sign permanently with Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old, who is expected to make his United debut against Preston North End on Saturday, told the Sheffield Star: "At this stage of my career I need to be playing regular football.

"I've not really been told anything about what might happen (at Old Trafford) but I'm just delighted to get the chance to come to a great club like this and be involved.

"Who knows what might happen here?

"But that's something for the future and the main thing now is concentrating on getting ready for the match at the weekend."

Bardsley played alongside Gary Cahill, another United loanee, at Villa Park earlier this year and believes his experience of life on the road should help him to make an instant impact.

"I've been out a lot and I've seen both sides of things with what happened at Rangers (where he was briefly dropped after a fall-out with then manager Paul Le Guen).

"But everywhere I've gone I've taken something from and I know a couple of the lads here too so that's good.

"Sheffield United might not have had the start they wanted but there's a long, long way to go yet and lots of points to play for. My job is to help us get some results and I'm sure we'll start climbing the table quickly."