KIERAN Richardson has one of the toughest and most unenviable challenges in football - to dislodge Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo from a wing role at United!

One is the club's most decorated medal winner, an Old Trafford veteran and Richardson's schoolboy idol and the other is three months his junior but hailed by Sir Alex Ferguson as one of Europe's most exciting teenage talents.

But 20-year-old Richardson's burning desire to avoid soccer anonymity has fuelled his ambition to take on all comers at Old Trafford.

Far from the daunting Giggs and Ronaldo test fazing the Londoner - snapped up as a kid from West Ham - it is firing his ambitions.

Ronaldo is in Turkey on Champions League business for the Reds but Richardson's Carling Cup success this term, and the manager's decision to leave Giggs at home, means the 2003 FA Youth Cup winner is expected to get the nod against Fenerbahce in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium tonight.

Breakthrough

Having initially broken through as an 18-year-old himself in 2002, Ronaldo's impact in England after signing from Sporting Lisbon for '12.5m 18 months ago set back Richardson's progress.

However, he welcomed Ronaldo's arrival.

"I love it when the club buys new players because I see the quality they bring in and I think to myself that it can only improve me," Kieran told M.E.N. Sport.

"I have never doubted my own ability and never will. It never bothered me that Cristiano was younger than me and became a regular. I still believe in myself but I watch him in training and matches and I know I can pick up on the tricks he does and use them in my game.

"He learns from the older and more experienced players and I learn from him. I love the trick he does when he chops the ball back and changes direction when he's going at a defender.

"I had seen it done before but to be able to study it in training most days is great. I practise it and it is adding something to my game.

"Obviously I also have Ryan Giggs to look up to and learn from. Ever since I was a kid I have looked up to him and I used to have all his posters on my wall at home. He's my real inspiration. To be able to play alongside and train daily with your idol is everything you could ask for. It is frightening what Ryan has done and can do.

Education

'I think watching and studying Ryan and Cristiano is a superb education for me,' Richardson added.

'I know people might say I could be playing more regularly now at another club but would I be as good a player?

'I might be getting loads of first-team matches elsewhere but I don't think I would be as good because I wouldn't have the world-class colleagues to learn from.

'I also want to win things and be remembered for that.

'You could play somewhere else and not win a thing and your name would never be remembered. But at United if you win things, then you'll never be forgotten. That's what I want.'

Sir Alex Ferguson handed the Greenwich-born winger his senior debut in October 2002 when he came on as a sub against Olympiakos in Athens.

That season he made seven first-team appearances. But just two League Cup starts and a sub appearance in the FA Cup at Northampton last term followed.

Frustrating

'It was a bit frustrating but that's the gaffer's method and nobody knows better how to handle young footballer's progress than he does,' added Kieran.

'He always told me that I was still very much in his plans anyway and I also have very strong family support and their encouragement helped.

'I wouldn't say I wasn't ready for that first-team experience two years ago and that it was too soon, but looking back and seeing the way I feel now I don't think I was strong enough or powerful enough.

'I loved every minute of it but I realised I had to get more body strength to cope with it. I have done a lot of gym work with Mike Clegg and speed work and also there has been a lot of natural growth.

'I feel quicker and more powerful now and that certainly helps holding off and beating defenders.

'I am raring to go these days and mount a challenge for a first team place.

'Gaining experience in the Carling Cup and out here in Turkey in the Champions League is fantastic.'

Can Richardson dislodge Giggs or Ronaldo and land a wing role at United? Have your say.

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