United have completed the loan signing of Arsenal youngster Kyle Bartley and the defender goes straight into the squad for Tuesday night's trip to Preston North End.

The 18-year-old, an imposing centre-back, was an integral part of Arsenal's FA Youth Cup triumph last season, and joins the Blades on a 93 day deal.

Manchester-born Kyle joined the Gunners from Bolton in 2007 and is described as a calm and controlling centre-back, who is also capable of popping up with goals from set-pieces.

Kyle's arrival should hopefully ease Kevin Blackwell's defensive problems, after losing Kyle Walker and Matt Kilgallon last month, before seeing Chris Morgan ruled out for a month with muscle injury.

The United manager said: I am delighted to have got him, he's got the right calibre even though making his league debut with a new club at such a young age will be a big challenge for him."