Burnley defender Phil Bardsley: "It's nice to see United back in the title race and I hope they do go on to win it!"

The Burnley defender was born and bred in Salford, in the shadow of Manchester United's Littleton Road training base.

His mum and dad, Janette and Tony, still run the Lower Kersal Social Club, on the banks of the River Irwell, which is a stone's throw away from The Cliff.

As a kid, Bardsley would spend his days peering through the railings that separated Alex Ferguson's squad from the outside world.

He'd kick a ball in the terraced streets, emulating his favourite players, and loitered until the opportunity to bag a signature arose.

The all-action right back was - and still is - a Red Devil to his very core.

"When I grew up they used to train on Littleton Road and The Cliff so they used to split the training sessions," he said.

"Where I lived backed on to Littleton Road so I was always in and around the streets and stopping outside to get autographs, as young fans do at the training ground."

Some of Bardsley's earliest memories include watching the likes of Eric Cantona, Gary Pallister, Steve Bruce, Denis Irwin, Peter Schmeichel and Ryan Giggs as United were crowned the first ever Premier League champions.

Then, having landed the club's first league title in 26 years, Roy Keane, Paul Ince and Lee Sharpe were thrown into the mix as United sealed the double.

And within 12 months of that success, after impressing scouts while playing for Charlestown CYC Youth Club, a nine-year-old Bardsley was invited onto the other side of the fence.

"I was just a normal kid that grew up supporting United and had the privilege of playing for them," said Bardsley, who progressed through the various stages - Under 10s, associate schoolboy, trainee and full-time professional.

"I was just playing local at Charlestown in Salford and they had come to watch another lad who I used to play with.

"He used to bang goals in for fun, he was outstanding. I was there, played, I got scouted and the journey began from there."

Bardsley, who advanced through the system alongside David Jones, Kieran Richardson, Paul McShane, Luke Steele and Eddie Johnson, added: "Going through the system there is not an easy thing to do.

"It's a roller-coaster of a journey, you've got to be at your very best to get all the way through, and fortunately for me I had the right attitude and I managed to do that.

"There were a lot of ups and downs, but I had the desire, the commitment, and I put in years of hard work. I went right through from the Under 9s to the first team, which is a difficult thing to do at a club like United.

"I'm very proud of that and I'm delighted that I had the chance to play for United.

"It's got me to where I am today and I'm very thankful for the opportunity I was given there."

Bardsley, an FA Youth Cup winner with United in 2003, made 18 senior appearances during his time at Old Trafford.

Since parting for Sunderland in 2008 the ex-Scotland international, who was loaned out to the Clarets in 2006, has now clocked up more games (19) against his boyhood club.

But the thrill of facing United has never diminished. He said: "I love playing against Manchester United. I don't know if it's because I'm a fan, but it's always been a special fixture.

"No matter where I've been or played, it's always been nice to play against them. I can't explain the feeling it gives you when you play against them, it's just a special game.

"Every year when the fixtures come out you have a look to see when you're playing them. I'm excited to play them for the first time this season on Tuesday night and hopefully I can be a part of that."

United haven't won a top flight title in eight years, but a point at Turf Moor midweek would see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side usurp defending champions Liverpool at the top of the table.

Bardsley has recognised United as genuine title contenders, and hopes they break the cycle this term, but his feet will be firmly in Burnley's camp tomorrow.

He finished: "It's good to see them back up there and challenging for titles and competing for silverware.

"It's nice to see United back in the title race and I hope they do go on to win it. It's fascinating this year, it's wide open, but hopefully they won't do anything against us and we can upset the apple-cart a little bit.

"I think United's form has been really good, Manchester City are coming into good form, Liverpool are outstanding, and then there's Chelsea and Tottenham.

"It'll be nice to see some old faces, but hopefully we can turn them over."