Stoke midfielder Sidwell linked with United move

Hull City's Paul McShane battles for the ball with Stoke City's Steve Sidwell, during the Barclays Premier League match at the KC Stadium, Hull. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 24, 2014. See PA story SOCCER Hull. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Maximum 45 images during a match. No video emulation or promotion as 'live'. No use in games, competitions, merchandise, betting or single club/player services. No use with unofficial audio, video, data, fixtures or club/league logos.

United are in the market for an experienced recruit in the engine room, with interest in QPR veteran Joey Barton having reportedly coolled with cost of his wages too prohibitive - with the Liverpudlian said to be on £65,000 per week at Loftus Road.

Sidwell, 32, made just five Premier League starts and 12 league appearances in total for the Potters last term and has largely been on the periphery at the Britannia Stadium since joining from Fulham on a free transfer.

Sidwell, who started his career at Arsenal, made his name as a Championship midfielder at Reading and was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2004-05 and 2005-06 and subsequently played for Chelsea, Aston Villa and Fulham.

He headed to the Potteries after being released at Craven Cottage in the spring of 2014.

But the Wandsworth-born schemer has been behind the likes of Glenn Whelan and Charlie Adam in the pecking order in Staffordshire.

United are now focusing their energies on bringing in an battle-hardened operator in the centre of the park alongside a new left winger, with the departure of Rudy Austin and Michael Tonge leaving them short of experience in central midfield.

Sidwell signed a two-year deal with Stoke last summer and has a year left on his Potters deal.