PICTURE: Phil Bardsley, Hang Your Head In Shame

Salford born Phil Bardsley joined Manchester United’s academy when he was 8-years-old. Before leaving Old Trafford in 2008, he was the only player in the first team squad who had progressed through all the levels of our academy.

He was brought up near our old training ground, The Cliff, and used to go there during the school holidays to watch his idols train.

So it does make you wonder why with 55 minutes played and United leading 1-0, Bardsley chose to throw himself to the floor in a bid to see Sunderland win a penalty and Ryan Giggs, the closest man to him, booked, or worse, sent off.

We shouldn’t have been expecting any favours from our former players, like Frazier Campbell and Kieran Richardson, despite the fact anything but a victory yesterday would have ended our title hunt. But I think we should be able to expect that a United fan, a player who spent 14 years at the club, wouldn’t go out of his way to cheat to try and stop us from winning, especially knowing the implications it would have on our season.

Is it because Bardsley is so dedicated to Sunderland that he would do anything for their cause? Sadly not, with the right back admitting a few weeks ago that he could be moving on this summer.

So, what was he thinking about??

Fortunately a penalty wasn’t awarded for his dive, otherwise our anger would be far greater, but I hope he woke up this morning feeling like a proper dick for his behaviour yesterday. Honestly, I expected better from a player we all wanted to be a success at United.