Kieran Richardson

[sitati_kituyi]

After hitting the scene as a promising teenager, Kieran Richardson faded into the background at Old Trafford in recent years. No one doubted that he had the ability to become a good footballer, it's just that to become a good footballer through the ranks at a club like United you really must do your best to force your way into the first team, and when given your chance there, perform like never before.

Before Kieran went on loan to West Brom, it was the general consensus that it was make-or-break time for him. Already 20 and without too many first team apps (only 2 sub appearances in the league this year for United), he seemed to be fading away. But his 12 apperances for the Baggies have convinced me, and should he sign a new deal after his talks (today), we cirtainly have an option to provide decent cover (and IMO a whole lot more) for Ryan Giggs.

IMO Kieran is the biggest success story of our youth system since O'Shea (who, someone pointed out to me a while back, didn't actually start at OT), and with the double-winning kids showing loads of talent (especially captain Jones, Rossi, Pique and Blake), some of the older guys pressing for starting places (Eagles and Spector [not really old though, is he?]), kids doing their thing abroad (N'Galula and co. in Belgium, Rincon in Brazil and Portugal) and deals laid down with foreign clubs with top academies that potentially sees some of their best talent ending up at Old Trafford (eg Lisbon), the future looks great, Glazer or not.

Please post news on the Richardson talks here.

[prk166]

I think we'd all agree that he did well at West Brom. I like to see the cautious approach to this. THat is, it's not time to ditch Giggs for KR. NOt that sitati_kituyi was saying that. But others have gushed that at other times. I think KR still has some things to learn. He stepped into a squad that had been playing badly but was turned around in time to survive. It's easier to get people talking about your good year when you're in that position than had he gone and played well for a club like Fulham or Charlton. I'm excited and have hope that he'll still turn into a great player.

[sitati_kituyi]

I think we'd all agree that he did well at West Brom. I like to see the cautious approach to this. THat is, it's not time to ditch Giggs for KR. NOt that sitati_kituyi was saying that. But others have gushed that at other times. I think KR still has some things to learn. He stepped into a squad that had been playing badly but was turned around in time to survive. It's easier to get people talking about your good year when you're in that position than had he gone and played well for a club like Fulham or Charlton. I'm excited and have hope that he'll still turn into a great player.
Yeah, Kieran has a long road ahead, but with Giggsy nearing the end of his career, he has the perfect old master to learn from who will eventually step down for him.

And you can call me Sitati :) Sitati Kituyi is my full name, it's kinda strange when people keep referring to me by both names. I'd like to hear some of you try to pronounce it, though!

[Ronaldo07]

he would make a excellent player to use in a deal..

[Crestofthestars]

He still looks lightweight. Good talent but capable of replacing Giggs? I'm not convinced. He has improved enough where he could be a good squad player though. Ronaldo and Giggs desperately need some cover and competiton.

[haven]

I think people forget that Richardson often outclassed Fletcher two years ago. I certainly believed he was the brighter talent - and he performed better on the pitch. A lot of those games were meaningless, but whereas Fletcher gave away possession cheaply, was slow, and couldn't dribble the ball worth a damn, Richardson was tricky. He went up too many blind alleys, but he also did more "good" things.

I think that Richardson probably got the shaft, despite outplaying Fletcher, because he couldn't be a CM. Just too light weight. But then, Fletcher initially played exclusively on the wing. I know Richardson's a natural left winger, but he couldn't have been any worse on the right wing than Fletcher.

It's all past. But I can't help but wonder: why was a natural winger frozen out of the squad, when he'd played better than the other guy, and we needed someone else on the wing?

Perplexing.

[Crestofthestars]

Richardson was great in the reserve team, but he was given chances in the first team he looked out of his depth. Around the time Chris Eagles began to look really good in the reserves and looked the better player.

He's done so well at WBA though, I personally think we should definitely keep Kieran in the first team squad next season considering we're a bit thin on wingers, and give him a proper 'make or break' year to see what he can do.

[Crestofthestars]

Richardson was great in the reserve team, but he was given chances in the first team he looked out of his depth. Around the time Chris Eagles began to look really good in the reserves and looked the better player.

He's done so well at WBA though, I personally think we should definitely keep Kieran in the first team squad next season considering we're a bit thin on wingers, and give him a proper 'make or break' year to see what he can do. It'll be better having Richardson as a dedicated winger being the cover, than Fortune.

[Motterman]

Kieran has been added to the England team coming over for the friendlies in the US.

[Ronaldo07]

Kieran has been added to the England team coming over for the friendlies in the US.

this is a fantastic chance for Kieran, lets hope he takes it!

[Crestofthestars]

I hope Sven gives him more than the last 10 minutes.

[Leto]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he been playing in the centre most of the time for West Brom? Anytime I've seen him on the wing (before his loan) he hasn't looked nearly as incisive as would be necessary for that position.

[haven]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he been playing in the centre most of the time for West Brom? Anytime I've seen him on the wing (before his loan) he hasn't looked nearly as incisive as would be necessary for that position.

He has played mostly in the center. I think his natural position is on the wing, though. That's where he plays for England U21. He does have a tendency to run down blind alleys - but then, so do a lot of wingers who have great success and are much older.

I think he played in the center for WBA because he was their most technically gifted player outside of maybe Gera and perhaps Robert Earnshaw. That side had almost no creativity or sparkle in CM without Richardson.

For us, I think he'd play left wing. First, his natural pace makes him a natural winger. Secondly, his lack of size makes him unsuited for the center. Third, he's a truly wretched tackler - or at least, he doesn't do it. Fourth, he's good at taking people on, which tends to be slightly more important on the wings. His short passing does seem adequate for the center, though - so I guess maybe you could play him just behind the strikers.

[Motterman]

And finally, his best chance to break into the first team with United is on the wing.

[JamesA]

IMO Kieran is the biggest success story of our youth system since O'Shea (who, someone pointed out to me a while back, didn't actually start at OT), and with the double-winning kids showing loads of talent (especially captain Jones, Rossi, Pique and Blake), some of the older guys pressing for starting places (Eagles and Spector [not really old though, is he?]), kids doing their thing abroad (N'Galula and co. in Belgium, Rincon in Brazil and Portugal) and deals laid down with foreign clubs with top academies that potentially sees some of their best talent ending up at Old Trafford (eg Lisbon), the future looks great, Glazer or not.

this is one thing i love about united, and one of the main reasons they have been so successful for so long. Since SAF took over they have always had an eye to the future, always signing/scouting great young talent, teaching them the right way, not rushing them, and setting up great alliances with clubs like lisbon (another great youth system). The one thing i fear may change somewhat once SAF leaves is that youth system he uses so well, much like the gunners do as well.

[haven]

this is one thing i love about united, and one of the main reasons they have been so successful for so long. Since SAF took over they have always had an eye to the future, always signing/scouting great young talent, teaching them the right way, not rushing them, and setting up great alliances with clubs like lisbon (another great youth system). The one thing i fear may change somewhat once SAF leaves is that youth system he uses so well, much like the gunners do as well.

I like that they've tried, but they certainly haven't succeeded much lately. O'Shea, Brown, and Fletcher are all seriously flawed players (though there's still hope for them all to really succeed). We haven't had a player who's front-end 1st team material since...Scholes, Beckham, Giggs, Gary Neville, and Nicky Butt.

Since then, Robbie Savage is a good player on a mid-table team. Jonathan Greening is a good player on a relegation battler. That Man City striker that came from us originally is a half-decent player on a mediocre team. And a bunch of guys playing in the Championship and lower...

[Leto]

And finally, his best chance to break into the first team with United is on the wing.

It's definately his best chance, but will he ever do it? He's a decent player, but I can't see him being the standard required for a long-term successor to Giggs.

[Acronym]

Reason he aint been played more: cocky. arrogant. big time charlie.

He has two bodyguards, and prances around Carrington like he owns the gaff.

[haven]

Reason he aint been played more: cocky. arrogant. big time charlie.

He has two bodyguards, and prances around Carrington like he owns the gaff.

Couldn't be that bad if he took well to WBA.

[achyx]

he does look like an arrogant child anyhow. haha