PHIL BARDSLEY believes Sunderland could have taken all three points against his former club on Saturday.

Neither the burden of captaincy nor the challenge of shackling Wayne Rooney prevented the right back from emerging as the Black Cats’ outstanding player against Manchester United.

And facing the club he joined as a nine-year-old, Salford- born Bardsley felt that Kenwyne Jones’ equaliser could have been the platform for a first League victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side at the Stadium of Light.

“Just before they scored we didn’t think we could just draw, we thought we would go on and win,” revealed the 23-year-old.

“We were feeling comfortable at 1-1 but you’ve always got to be wary when playing against a side with worldclass players.

“You have to take the game to them. If you stay off them they are going to keep the ball all day and eventually punish you.

“I felt we were unlucky but we gave them a good run for their money,” he noted.

With Dean Whitehead and Kieran Richardson both sidelined through injury, Ricky Sbragia overlooked the claims of Anton Ferdinand and Danny Collins and handed Bardsley the captaincy.

“I didn’t find out until I discovered the captain’s armband on my seat,” said Bardsely.

“It was a nice little surprise.

“I relish a chance like that to be captain. It’s something you dream of when you are a kid. I’ve just got to thank the manager.

“It was a lovely gesture. I didn’t know whether it was just because it was Man United or whether I’m now third in line. You’ll have to ask the manager.

“As a captain I don’t necessarily shout, I just try to lead by example. I just try to get the lads going. We did that today.”

Despite Rooney looking the man most likely to add to Paul Scholes’ early goal, Bardsley relished the battle against his former team mate.

“It was a good battle against Wazza (Rooney). We are similar sorts of characters in that sense. He’s a good lad and a great player. It was nice to see him again but we didn’t really get involved in any verbal. When he’s in the team Man United are a different outfit.

“We can gain confidence form this performance, despite the result.

“The winner was a soft goal in one way to give away but one nobody could be blamed for. It’s a bitter pill but we can move on to the last games with a bit of confidence.”

Bardsley added to the praise being heaped on teenage match winner Federico Macheda.

“I’m sure he meant it but you have to be in the right place to score. Unfortunately for us it went in,’’ he said.

“A fresh face, even a youngster, can give a team a lift at a time like this and that’s what he is doing.

“He give them something different. A young lad just goes on and doesn’t really give a damn. They put themselves about and if they get tackled then so what?

“Credit to the manager for showing faith in the lads and giving them the opportunity because I’m not sure every manager in Europe would do that. It just goes to show what a great manager Sir Alex is.”

“The dream double for me is for Sunderland to stay up and Man United to win the title. I’m a Salford boy and supported them as kid. As far as Sunderland goes if we keep playing like that we will be fine.”