Richardson keeping the faith

Kieran Richardson has banished any thought of leaving Manchester United - either permanently or on loan.

The 20-year-old Londoner is expected to make his 20th senior appearance tonight as Sir Alex Ferguson's shadow squad look to tie up a position at the top of Group D with a Champions League win over Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Richardson has found opportunities hard to come by since breaking into the Red Devils' first-team squad a couple of years ago, when he marked his first start with a League Cup goal against Leicester.

But at no stage has the former West Ham trainee considered quitting Old Trafford for good. And even when the prospect of a loan move was raised, a quick chat with Ferguson was enough to convince the winger to stay where he is.

"I never think about leaving Manchester United," he said. "I have faith in my ability, I am confident and believe I am good enough to make it here.

"Sometimes I have thought about going out on loan to gain some experience but the manager told me if I stay I will get my chance, so that is what I have done."

Although he retains an assuredness most players need if they are going to become a regular at a club the size of United, there is not the same cockiness about Richardson as there was when he first broke through.

Mentally more mature, he is physically stronger too, and while he is not quite in the Ryan Giggs class, he has shown plenty of ability, particularly as an ever-present member of United's Carling Cup squad.

"I am making strides now," he admitted. "I did gain a lot of experience two years ago but maybe I wasn't quite as developed as I thought I was.

"I do feel much stronger now. I am doing more training, so I am probably able to cope with the demands of the first team much more.

"The manager seems to believe in me more as well because I am getting more chances. Hopefully tonight will be another one."

Providing Richardson does line up on the left wing as expected, he will be one of only two non-internationals, David Bellion is the other, in Ferguson's starting line-up.

Richardson has not won an England Under-21 cap, although he is hopeful of finally breaking into Peter Taylor's squad later this season.

In the meantime, he can prepare himself for a busy few weeks, with Ferguson expected to give his youngsters another chance to shine in the FA Cup third round tie with non-league Exeter next month, as well as sticking with his Carling Cup squad for the two-legged semi-final with Chelsea.

Whether those games will involve Cristiano Ronaldo is debatable but the £12million teenager was part of the squad which flew into Turkey yesterday, the only player who also started Saturday's win over Southampton.

Not that the move should be viewed as any kind of punishment.

Ferguson still intends to give the Portuguese international a rest at some stage, probably after the congested festive programme.

But it is also a gentle reminder that for all his talent, Ronaldo is still a young boy and should not be dealt with separately from his peers.

"Cristiano has fantastic potential," said Ferguson. "He is a player with great courage and the first thing he always thinks when he gets the ball is how to attack defenders.

"We are very pleased with the progress he is making but we cannot forget he is only a kid.

"Both Cristiano and Darren Fletcher must remember they are still young boys and the reason we brought them on this trip is to keep them integrated with the other younger players in our squad. Hopefully, that will create a unity they can all grow up with.

"I don't want them separated into first team, reserve team and youth team players. When they go on to that pitch, they will all be Manchester United first team players."