RICHARDSON: SHADES OF FERGIE IN KEANE

Kieran Richardson admits he can see elements of Sir Alex Ferguson in new boss Roy Keane as he prepares to launch his career at Sunderland.

The 22-year-old England international could not resist his former captain's offer when Keane went back to Manchester United with £5.5million to prise away a youngster he believes still has much of his potential yet to fulfil.

Richardson knows at first hand the Irishman's determination to succeed, and acknowledges the similarities with the Scotsman whose reign at Old Trafford has been littered with major prizes.

He said: "The gaffer has definitely learnt a lot from Sir Alex. Everyone knows Sir Alex is a great manager and he's got the utmost respect of the gaffer here.

"Being at Manchester United for such a long time, he is going to pick up some tips from Sir Alex. But I am sure he will do his own thing in his own way."

Richardson's football education could hardly have been conducted at a higher level as he came through the ranks at United rubbing shoulders with the superstars who have brought the club so much success in recent years.

He admits he gleaned all he could from the likes of Keane, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes as he made his way in the game.

However, now he is ready to strike out in a new direction among players he believes can make a major impact in the Barclays Premier League this season.

He said: "Everyone knows them [the United stars], they are household names, they are great players. When you came in every day, you learnt so much from them.

"But I wasn't playing on a regular basis. You would play one game and you would be out for, say, two weeks and come back in again, so it is hard to get yourself going.

"Here, now, I just want to play on a regular basis, and when you do that you get more confident and the best comes out of you.

"When I was at West Brom [on loan], I played 12 games on the bounce and I felt so confident in my ability and my game, and hopefully I can do the same here.

"I am here at Sunderland now. Some players in the changing room might not be household names, but this is the beginning of the season and I am telling you now, by the end of the season, everyone will know their names."

Richardson, like fellow new arrivals Michael Chopra and midfielder Dickson Etuhu, who completed a £1.5million switch from Norwich, will not make his debut in Wednesday's friendly at Darlington.

However, it has taken him little time to gauge the level of excitement on Wearside as the start of the new season approaches.

He said: "I went for a meal with my father last night and quite a lot of people came up to me asking for an autograph.

"They made me feel welcome, and that was great. This is a massive football city.

"The Mackems love their football and I love my football too. It's great to be a part of it."

Taken from =football365=