Manchester United Player Profiles : Kieran Richardson

Filed under: Manchester United Football Club, Manchester United Players

Kieran Richardson is the latest in line to be touted as the next Ryan Giggs. Whether that is true or not remains to be seen but one thing is certain the left-footed youngster has certainly caught the eye enough to suggest that he’ll be a first-team regular at United pretty soon.

The London-born midfielder began his football career as a trainee at local team, West Ham. The Old Trafford talent scouts were quick to spot him and once FA rules permitted, he joined Manchester United in summer of 2002. Richardson was hailed as an all-round midfield gem, but one who possesses that rare gift - a left foot. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised the player as being one of the best players to come through the club’s Academy in recent years.

Kieran’s United career was helped greatly by a loan spell at Bryan Robson’s West Bromwich Albion towards the end of the 2004/05 season. The winger had found first-team opportunities hard to come by, making it a wise decision to gain vital Premiership football at the Hawthorns. Kieran is currently played sparingly for United, occasionally filling in on the left of defence in place of the injured Gabriel Heinze, or as a midfielder where the team are currently short on numbers.