Richardson race gathering pace
Everton and Manchester City are believed to have entered the race
for out-of-favour Manchester United utility man Kieran
Richardson.
Richardson turned his back on a permanent move to West Brom, where
he had spent a successful loan spell in January 2005, two summers
ago in a bid to fight for a regular first-team spot at Old
Trafford.
But the 22-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence, found
himself behind Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze in the fight for the
left-back slot - and struggled to dislodge veteran winger Ryan
Giggs.
The summer arrivals of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson have
pushed Richardson even further down the pecking order.
And with that in mind, Sunderland and Sheffield United have put him
on their wanted list - with Roy Keane keen to be reunited with his
former Red Devils team-mate and Blades boss Bryan Robson hoping to
lure him after managing him during his spell in charge of
Albion.
If Sir Alex Ferguson does decide to let Richardson go, however, the
two clubs face a fight for his signature.
Incoming Manchester City chief Sven-Goran Eriksson, who gave
Richardson his England debut on a summer tour of the USA, would
like him at Eastlands for next season.
And Everton gaffer David Moyes is keen to bolster his left-sided
options, having to field star midfielder Mikel Arteta on the left
flank for large parts of last season.
