United allow Stewart Gers trial

Michael Stewart has been granted permission by Manchester United to join Rangers on trial during their pre-season tour of Austria.

The Scotland international left Old Trafford to join Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal last year, only to return prematurely when Joe Kinnear decided he was not interested in fielding the 23-year-old.

Once tipped to make the breakthrough at United, Stewart has slipped well down the pecking order of talent at the club, even behind a fellow Scot in the shape of Darren Fletcher.

Although still under contract with The Red Devils, the midfielder's future is bleak in Manchester so he is linking up with Alex McLeish's Gers.

A move to Ibrox could suit all parties, providing the player impresses during his stay with the Glaswegian outfit.