IT might not be as celebrated as the 'Golden Generation' that spawned the likes of David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, but Phil Bardsley is hoping that Manchester United's 'Class of 2003' will help to secure Sunderland's Premier League status.

Five years ago, Bardsley, Paul McShane and Kieran Richardson all lifted the FA Youth Cup after Manchester United's youth team beat Middlesbrough in the final.

The trio were re-united on Tuesday, when Bardsley completed a £2m move to the Stadium of Light, and could all start their first senior game together when Sunderland play Birmingham in a crunch relegation battle on Tuesday.

With the likes of Liam Miller, Andrew Cole, Dwight Yorke and Jonny Evans also in the Black Cats ranks, the squad boasts a considerable Manchester United connection.

And while Roy Keane's side are currently inhabiting the final relegation place, Bardsley is confident his fellow Old Trafford graduates' shared upbringing will help inspire a recovery in the second half of the season.

"Paul, Kieran and I all won the Youth Cup together," said the 22-year-old full-back. "So it's nice to be reunited with them again.

"We had a good relationship when we were at United, they're good players and they've welcomed me to the squad.

"Neil (Bailey) was the youth-team coach at the time (he is currently Sunderland's first-team coach) and he's a really good guy. I always enjoyed his training and I'm looking forward to experiencing it again.

"There's Ricky (Sbragia) as well (another first-team coach with the Black Cats). He took me on at 16 and gave me my chance to play in the reserves, so it's nice to be back working with all of those guys."

And then, of course, there is Keane himself. The Sunderland manager spent more than a decade at Old Trafford, becoming all but inseparable from the Premier League's most successful club side in the process.

Bardsley trained alongside the former Republic of Ireland international during his formative years in Manchester and is keen to experience Keane's qualities as a coach.

"I wanted to play in the Premier League and I've always wanted to have the chance of having Roy Keane as my manager," he said.

"As a player at Man United he always got the best out of you, no matter whether it was training, games, everything. I'm sure he can get the best out of me as a manager.

"He's got a reputation as a winner, that's the kind of person he is. I just look forward to being part of that and I want to win things."

Having spent the first half of the season on loan at Sheffield United, Bardsley could have opted to remain at Old Trafford.

The Salford-born defender made just 18 United appearances in five seasons, and while former Sunderland loanee Danny Simpson appeared to have leapt ahead of him in the pecking order, Sir Alex Ferguson was willing to let Bardsley prove himself in the reserves.

Another loan move was also an option, but after completing previous spells at Royal Antwerp, Burnley, Rangers and Aston Villa, the defender was ready to leave Manchester for good.

"There comes a time when you can't kid yourself and you have to move on," said Bardsley. "I played in a couple of Champions League games and a couple of Premier League games, but sometimes you need more than that.

"It was great to go out on loan to Rangers, Villa and Sheffield United, and I'm sure all that experience will help. But I've always said that, come 21 or 22, it would be time to move on.

"I've come to a club with great fans, a great ground and great people around the place. I've only been here a day, but the people are so friendly and happy.

"It could be a bit happier if we were winning a bit more, but I'm sure we're capable of that with the players we have."

Quinton Fortune made his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt yesterday as the club's reserves drew 4-4 with Bradford in a friendly at the Academy of Light.

Fortune, a free agent after being released by Bolton in May, played the full 90 minutes on the left of midfield as he attempts to earn a contract on Wearside, but Carlos Edwards was not risked as he continues his recovery from a leg injury.

New signing Jean-Yves M'voto also made his first appearance for the Black Cats as David Dowson and Jordan Henderson claimed two goals apiece in a high-scoring encounter.

Dowson scored Sunderland's first goal as Bradford raced into a 3-1 lead within the opening 15 minutes, and reduced the arrears with the hosts' second on the stroke of half-time.

Henderson grabbed an equaliser in the early stages of the second half, and while Bradford quickly opened up a 4-3 lead, the 17-year-old scored his second goal ten minutes from time.

Rangers are close to completing a deal for Sunderland goalkeeper Darren Ward, who has slipped below Marton Fulop in the Black Cats pecking order