KIERAN Richardson is pushing for a first-team place as Manchester United aim to get back on the winning trail at Reading.
Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to shuffle his pack for the first-ever league meeting between the teams, after last week's lacklustre defeat at home to Arsenal, a setback which wrecked United's 100 per cent start to the season.
And with a difficult Champions League trip to Benfica on Tuesday, Ferguson - in charge of United for the 1,100th match - is hoping to strike the right balance against the newly-promoted Royals, who have exceeded early-season expectations by reaching sixth place.
United looked out of kilter against Arsenal, when they began the game without a recognised left-sided midfielder after injuries to Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-sung.
Richardson has figured in three games already this season, after scoring six times in 36 appearances last term, and is champing at the bit to play at the Madejski Stadium.
Kieran Richardson is enjoying the battle to play games in the United team, and believes that competition for places will help the Reds this season.
Ready
"The manager wants all his players sharp and on the ball, ready to play if needed," said Richardson. "I have to make sure I am ready, everyone does, because we want to win the league this season.
"Everyone has been training really well this season and the standard is very high every day.
"There is strong opposition for places, which is good for United and for me. At this club you have to fight for your place in the team. I believe in myself, so I just have to keep pushing on."
The Reds should have Edwin van der Sar back in goal after Tomasz Kuszczak's eventful debut against Arsenal, which came after the Dutch No 1 called in sick on the morning of the game.
Gabriel Heinze and Alan Smith are also close to squad recalls, although this weekend may still be a little too early.
Reading are aiming for a fourth consecutive win in all competitions, and defend a proud record not losing at home for 24 league games - of which they have won 21!
Park has had a successful operation, and is targeting a return to first-team action before Christmas.
The 25-year-old Korea international damaged the joint in training a fortnight ago and had surgery shortly afterwards.
UNITED will send a team to play Conference outfit Northwich in a friendly to mark the opening of their new Victoria Stadium on November 30.
Should United play Richardson against Reading? Have your say.
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Shut up Richardson, we're not interested in what you have to say.
KR is one on the many 'nearly men' in a long line of similar players who have had contracts at OT over the last few years. Should he play tomorrow? NO! Should he play for us ever? NO! Is he good enough? NO! Would he be in the national squad playing for anyone else? NO! Should he be sold to raise funds? YES!
ps If he does play tomorrow I hope he scoes at least twice!!
This is Richardson's chance to sign. With Park and Giggs out, he hasnt had a better opportunity. He has to grab with 2 hands and make sure that when Giggs and Park do get bck, Fergie has a major dilemma. IMO this is the season where Richardson HAS to perform. I'm not one of those fans thats naive ennough to think he is close to the finished article, yet he does have potentail. I really hope he does make it as its always good for English talent to break through the ranks. if he was to become a regular starter for United, that would pretty much automatically give him the England spot too so good luck in what I am hoping to be a glittering career however the pressure is on. United fans arent patient!
Richardson-Scholes-Carrick-Ronaldo. As long as we keep JOS and Fletcher on the bench, we should be alright.
I just can't make my mind up about him. He was great at the end of last season and throughout pre-season. But didn't make any impact at all against Spurs. On his day, he brings a lot to the team but he can also look very average when he's not playing well. Seeing as he's one of the only proper wingers in our squad I think we might end up relying on him this season. But if he can step his game up that might not be a bad thing. He's quick, direct, a decent crosser of the ball and has got a mean shot on him (the crossbar at Charlton is probably still wobbling). I think he should get a game against Reading - sometimes you've just got to show the youngsters a bit of faith. By the way, has anyone else heard the rumours about Ronaldo going home for a fortnight to spend time with his sick mum? If that's true then we've got no choice but to start Richardson.
hey guys, I have booked a trip for the everton game at home. And I was wondering aboute something. Everytime I've been over we have lost (last time to Arsenal), so I haven't had the chance to celebrate and get myself loaded after a win. Do the fans go over to the Bishop Blaze after the match also, or where do they go to celebrate?
I think Kieran is the perfect replacement for ryan.g, we need a more balanced midfield with scholes and carrick central and ronny on the right, don't play fletcher, yes he might be good in training but he is inexperienced, and has to be said poor passing this season can cost you games in the premiership if not the premiership title..
Whoever keeps JOS and Fletch out of the team is fine by me. Not that I think he's any great shakes though and he had better start improving and showing some consistency if he wants to be at OT next season. Agree with one of the previous comments, looks pretty good at times but awful others. Saying that, playing him at left wing will allow Ronaldo to return to his preferred right wing position. What about David Jones? Why the hell did Fergie keep him? About time he got an opportunity, especially before our two favourite donkeys!!
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Good shout Mick. The jury is still out on KR but I would prefer to see him play on the left and Ronny down the right because at least then you have players in their true positions. Fletch obviously isn't a winger and the team looks unbalanced when he is out on the right. Richardson has all the right ingredients to be a great winger but I think there are doubts over his commitment and desire.
I think Richardson has only looked good in a WBA or England shirt; the jury is totally out and if pushed, and if the squad wasn't so thin, I'd cash in and sell.
TMUF...he is not the finished article is he? He lacks control.He has plenty of time to improve and he'd be ok v Reading.
I'm not one of those fans thats naive enough. chance to sign. Giggs and Park do get bck. yet he does have potential. United fans arent patient!
Utd4Ever UK - absolutely agree with your comment on David Jones.Not sure about Richardson - I think he is a bit lighweight and falls into the same category as Fletcher and O'Shea (as a midfielder). Ok against the weaker teams, but will struggle when it really matters. However tomorrow he should play with Ronaldo, Scholes and Carrick. With Jones as sub!
he represents how average united have sunk to.never seen richardson go past a player or have a decent game 4 united against any of the decent teams in premiership - hes good in the carling cup against lower teams tho.if richardson fletcher and oshea are midfield regulars united will never take win the title again.i will hold my hand up and apologize if im wrong but i wont be.look how much better the previous lot were around his age scholes beckham butt - no comparison.
Well, all due respect to Reading if he can't do it tomorrow he isn't going to get a better chance. He's 22 this year so if he is going to be good enough for us he needs to show us this year. I wouldn't write him off yet though, he has the qualities to be a good winger.
TMUF, agree that he has to take this chance, as with Giggs and Park out he has to perform. Think we paid 100k for him when he was a youngster and he had a lot of potential. Seems to have got lost on the way into the first team, (don't know if it is tinkerman playing out of position), but I hope he does it, for the team and to stop SAF putting Fletcher on the bloody right wing.
Has to play!
Running out of time for me but may do well against Reading. At least we shouldn't have to see him at LB again.
I get the feeling he wont ever amount to more than just a good squad player. Though I hope I am wrong because he is a natural left winger that would be good for us and England. This is certainly his best chance to show he can do it now with Giggs and Park out.
If he had played over 100 games like Fletcher I am sure he would have showed how good he is.
Like most I don't think he's really done much to impress, but I'd prefer him on the left so Ronnie can be on the right rather than have players out of position or making room for Fletcher or O'Shea the reason we started to play half decent Football this year is because we put out a balanced side.
Mary, sale. You are right, if he had 100 games he would show how good he is, RUBBISH. THe real reason we are struggling, especially at OT is because we are always wearing those horrible white socks. We never play well in them. I thought we got first choice at home? Red shirts,White shorts, Black socks., Then watch us start to fly!
i think that hargreaves should come 2 united because he is an awesome player he's a bit like of a keano type of player he likes to get tackles in and he can score goals
From watching him in the reserves Richardson is better in centre mid but not good enough for the first team. Lee Martin is more likely to replace Giggs in the long term so should cash in on Richardson. I would push Scholes forward and move Rooney to the left for the reading game