MANCHESTER United's England Under-21 midfielder Kieran Richardson admits under-performing for his country is frustrating - but insists his reaction to being substituted against Czech Republic was not an act of petulance.

The Reds winger barely acknowledged boss Stuart Pearce and headed straight down the tunnel when replaced at Arnhem's Gelredome, which the youngster explained was to treat a back complaint.

"I wouldn't disrespect the manager like that, I went straight in to get treatment and get that out of the way," said Richardson.

Richardson would have taken a late penalty in Arnhem if he was on the pitch, but Leroy Lita took responsibility instead and missed, with England's European Championship opener ending in a stalemate.

"You want to play well all the time and sometimes when it doesn't happen you are upset," added Richardson.

"I'm struggling at the moment with my back but hopefully I've got a couple of days of rest and hopefully I'll be all right.

"You want to start on a high but some lads didn't perform, but you have to get through it and stick together as a team.

"I'm sure we'll get there in the end and qualify because we have great ability in this team."