Phil Bardsley

Phillip "Phil" Anthony Bardsley (born 28 June 1985 in Salford, Greater Manchester) is an England football (soccer) (although he is also eligible to play for Scotland national football team). He attended Hope High School, Salford, along with former United team-mates Mark Howard (defender) and Mark Redshaw. Bardsley started his career with Charlestown Lads Club before signing for Manchester United. Bardsley currently plays for FA Premier League club Manchester United. He is a defender (football) and has occasionally been included in UEFA Champions League and Carling Cup squads. In 2004, he spent four months on loan to Manchester United's Belgian feeder club, Royal Antwerp F.C..

Bardsley grew up near Manchester United's old training ground, The Cliff, and has stated he would often go there on his school holidays to see his heroes train. He is the only current player who has come through all the levels of the academy, starting out at the club at the age of 8.

On 16 March 2006, he joined Football League Championship side Burnley F.C. where he played on loan until the end of the season. He has played 5 games and scored a first minute own goal against Southampton F.C..

He was sent out on-loan again at the start of the 2006-07 in Scottish football, this time to Scottish Premier League club Rangers F.C.. On 9 September 2006, he scored his first goal for Rangers against Falkirk F.C.. He was sent off against Hibernian F.C., and therefore missed the Old Firm Derby against Celtic F.C., although this was a match he was unlikely to play in because of poor form.

On 17 October 2006, it was reported that Bardsley was involved in a training ground disagreement with manager Paul Le Guen and his future at Rangers appeared to be in doubt. Indeed, Bardsley never played for Rangers again and returned to Manchester United in December 2006.

On 8 January 2007 Bardsley joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the season, playing his first FA Premier League game against Watford F.C. on January 20. It was announced on 1 May 2007 that Bardsley would be returning to Manchester United when his loan deal with Villa ran out because Martin O'Neill did not want to make the move permanent.