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Manchester City defender Micah Richards insists Manchester United are running scared ahead of their titanic derby clash this weekend.

City are two points ahead of United at the top of the table and will play their first derby game at the home of the reigning champions in the absence of the banner that taunted them for not winning a trophy in 35 years.

The 23-year-old is a relative veteran of the fixture having played in 10 derbies and is confident of his side’s chances.

“United now know, much as they won’t say it, that we are a genuine threat to them,” he told the Manchester Evening News. “To get that banner down is quality – we have got the last laugh.

“We are not going out and saying we will win this game or that game, but they call us the noisy neighbours. I think they’re a bit frightened.”

And Richards is hoping for a full-blooded encounter that lives up to the billing of such a high-profile derby.

“The last four derbies have not been that ferocious really,” he added. “Three or four years ago it was ridiculous, some of the tackling.

“I’d like to see that again, that ferocity, as it makes it more special. We all like to see nice football, but everyone loves a good tackle.

“It’s harder these days, as if you tackle someone hard you get questioned. I preferred those ferocious derbies – if it’s a foul obviously the referee has to pull it up, but with those 50-50 challenges he should just let the game flow.”

Richards insists that unlike previous years, City believe they have what it takes to win at Old Trafford.

“It used to be the case that we went to United and got battered every time but in the last year or two we have gone to United and sometimes looked the better team, on their own patch, so it shows how far we have come in a short space of time.

“We have improved a lot and want the ball down to play – in those days it was about getting 11 men behind the ball and defending, and if we got a chance we had to take it. That’s what we did.

“If you speak to Mancini he wants to go there and win. People talked about us last season being boring and negative, but if you watch us now we are completely the opposite.”

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Manchester United versus Manchester City. Forget Chelsea and Arsenal. No longer are the Londoners the main threat to United’s Premier League Crown. This was the battle of Manchester.

Last season, City earned their first trophy in 35 years, and United won a record 19^th league title, though were defeated by City en route to the FA Cup Final.

This was a matter of revenge, and boy did United take it.

In this encounter, United’s fourth appearance in the Community Shield in five years, it looked very likely at half time that City would make it two Wembley wins out of two over their arch rivals.

Goals from Joleon Lescott and Edin Dzeko looked to have given the blues an unassailable lead at half time, but the reds had other ideas.

Arguably the better side for the majority of the 90 minutes, United snatched two goals within fifteen minutes of the restart to bring the tie level, with goals from defender Chris Smalling and the ever improving Luis Nani.

With the tie balanced on a knifes edge, and with a dreaded penalty shoot out looming, Nani settled proceedings with a skilful second goal to win the tie for United 3-2.

But what does this mean in the Battle of Manchester? For City, famously dubbed “the noisy neighbours” by Sir Alex, this will serve as a reminder that they are not quite the best team in Manchester.

For United, this is yet another trophy to add to their heaving cabinet – their nineteenth Community Shield victory to date – That’s sixteen more than City have managed, who last won this competition in 1982.

There was little doubt after yesterday’s result that United are still the team to beat in Manchester, and arguably the Premier League as a whole. By the full time whistle, the reds had bossed possession by an astonishingly dominant sixty three percent compared to City’s thirty seven percent. The second half was a red tidal wave of dominance capped off with a deserved solo goal which saw Nani run half the length of the pitch.

As For Manchester City, they will be hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The despairingly manic Mario Balotelli first needlessly clashed heads with Nemanja Vidic, rolled around clutching his face after a fair tackle by Nani and was then hauled off before the hour mark, storming down the tunnel. Vincent Kompany, usually a reliable defender for City, was at fault for the final killer goal.

If this hadn’t just been a “friendly”, Micah Richard’s would surely have seen red for a late, over the top, studs up tackle on new boy Ashley Young as well.

Football won the day yesterday. United played with attacking flair and audacious attitude and had more than a touch of solidity in defence, with Smalling and Jones reminding Ferdinand and Vidic that their first team places are far from safe.

Even City manager Roberto Mancini admitted his team were outclassed, commenting after the game, “maybe they played better than us.”

They did. At half time, staring down the barrel of a two nil defeat, Sir Alex hauled off the aforementioned defenders as well as Michael Carrick in place of youngsters Johnny Evans, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverly.

Many a United fan would have been forgiven for venting frustration at these changes – not quite the players you want to be coming on after half time to claw back a two goal deficit, especially with last seasons joint top goal scorer Dimitar Berbatov warming the bench until the final five minutes.

It would have given United fans the excuse to turn around and claim to the baying City fans that they weren’t taking this match seriously, however.

But the gamble paid dividends as United shockingly and superbly surged forward and snatched two quick fire goals within fifteen minutes of the restart, and there was never any question really who would get the third.

Rooney was quick to rub the salt into City’s wounds after the game, claiming City were taught “a footballing lesson”.

There is not a lot to be gleaned from this game however. After all, it was only an exhibition and City were missing top goal scorer Carlos Tevez and new signing Sergio Aguero.

Arsenal humiliated United in 1998’s competition three goals to nil, and United themselves went on to clinch a treble, of course.

Since 1992 when the Premier League was conceived, only 37 percent of the Community Shield winners have gone on to win the title, that’s seven out of nineteen.

But there is a trend beginning to gain speed. Ever since 2007, every team that has won the Community Shield has won the Premier League.

So maybe there is a little to be taken from this game, that is if you are superstitious.

What it does tell us though is that whilst City can continue to challenge for honours by buying the best, United can always rely on youth.

United’s new winger Ashley Young was the oldest man on the pitch yesterday, with Ryan Giggs sitting out the game. At the ripe old age of twenty six, he was United’s most senior player.

New goalkeeper De Gea, whilst unconvincing for the most part yesterday, is after all only twenty, Chris Smalling is twenty one and his defensive partner Phil Jones, who came on as a second half substitute and looked rock solid, is only nineteen. Johnny Evans is twenty four, Rafael is twenty one, Anderson is twenty three and Cleverly is twenty one.

Nani and Rooney meanwhile are twenty four and twenty five respectively, and Danny Welbeck, who enjoyed a fantastic loan spell with Steve Bruce’s Sunderland last season is only twenty.

And who can forget the ridiculously talented Javier Hernandez? He’s only twenty three, by the way.

The average age of Manchester United’s team yesterday was twenty two. Compare that to Chelsea’s ageing squad – Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are thirty three, Nicholas Anelka is thirty two, Florent Malouda is thirty one and John Terry is thirty.

Alan Hanson once wrongly stated that “You’ll never win anything with kids” but that theory was once again discredited yesterday.

Indeed, it seems United have been rebuilt yet again under Sir Alex. Gone are Van Der Sar, Gary Neville,  Paul Scholes, Wes Brown and John O Shea. Whilst he may not have the financial clout to compete with City and Chelsea to replace all these players, he does have some wonderful ready made young talent at his disposal, and who can argue with that when they can turn in this sort of performance?

The future at Manchester United seems incredibly bright, especially as it transpired over the weekend that the Glazers look to be paying off £400 million of their £500 million debt.

To City’s credit, they do look like United’s most serious contenders. They can buy three more world class players within the next week without batting an eye lid, and can do the same in January. And who can argue that with Argentina’s two first choice strikers up front, they won’t pose a formidable threat to any team?

If they continue stock piling some of the worlds finest players then it can’t be long before they finally upset the apple cart of the big four. They always have that cash to continuously improve, which must make them one of the favourites this season.

Arsenal have so far failed largely to improve on last seasons fourth place  team, and Chelsea and Tottenham have been surprisingly quiet in the transfer window, presumably content to rely on Fernando Torres and Luka Modric, respectively.

United’s biggest threat, bar Liverpool, has usually come from London in the shape of Arsenal and Chelsea.

But last season United dominated an ageing Chelsea squad and were victorious over them four times out of five.

After City came so close to conquering United for a second time in a row yesterday, perhaps their real enemy is a little bit closer to home.

Only time will tell.

Bring on the new season.

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Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has been named in England’s provisional 30-man squad for the friendly with Netherlands next Wednesday.

Welbeck made his international debut against Ghana in March after impressing on loan at Sunderland.

Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere is also included despite an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old was the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League last season with 17 goals for Sunderland and Aston Villa, but was part of the England side that struggled to a 2-2 draw at home to Switzerland in June.

Arsene Wenger, Wilshere’s club manager at the Emirates, had warned that if the midfielder failed to play against Benfica on Saturday he would “certainly” not play against the Dutch.

After having a scan on his injured ankle, Wilshere did not feature in the pre-season friendly, but has been selected by Capello regardless.

Manchester United’s Phil Jones did not make the squad despite reports he had been included on Friday.

Tottenham’s Kyle Walker and Manchester City’s Micah Richards may deputise in his absence, while centre-back Phil Jagielka has been deployed in the position on the last two occasions Johnson has been missing.

Richards only won his first cap under Capello in November and claimed a fortnight ago that he may have to wait for the manager’s departure in the wake of Euro 2012 to resume his international career.

England squad to play Netherlands on 10 August:

Robert Green, Joe Hart, David Stockdale, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Micah Richards, John Terry, Kyle Walker, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Stewart Downing, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young, Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck (BBC Sport)

A few surprises in this selection and perhaps most surprisingly Darren Bent overlooked for a call up given his good form last term with both Sunderland and Aston Villa, netting 20 goals. Danny Welbeck’s inclusion comes after good form shown during the European Under 21 Championships this summer, surprisingly therefore Chelsea youngster Daniel Sturridge misses out.

This friendly will be Fabio Capello’s chance to look at his charges ahead of the two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales in early September.

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Micah Richards is back on Arsene Wenger’s radar as the Arsenal manager sets about shoring up his defence this summer.

Manchester City star Richards has just a year left on his Eastlands contract and that has alerted Wenger, a long-term admirer of the player.

Arsenal have had problems in the heart of their defence, with Thomas Vermaelen missing through injury.

Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny played well together but Djourou has also had a spell on the sidelines, while a couple of high-profile gaffes – including one in the Carling Cup final – have taken the gloss off a reasonable first season for Koscielny.

Richards, 22, impressed after forcing his way back into Roberto Mancini’s line-up before picking up a hamstring injury in March.

SOURCE: Express

Micah Richards appears to have been around for quite some time but is still only 22 but has over 150 Man City appearances to his name but is by no means a first team regular under Roberto Mancini and could well be tempted by reported interest shown by Arsene Wenger.

The powerfully built England international is effective at right back and in the centre of defence and has just one year left on his current deal which could significantly reduce his valuation. Of course Mancini may well want to sell any of his players to club’s he considers rivals but a significant offer may make the Italian change his mind.

The £10m rated Birmingham born defender has made 14 Premier League starts and has had some injury concerns but he may well be what Gunners boss Wenger is looking for. The Arsenal boss is keen to beef up a back line that has looked very shaky this season.

New signings Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci have struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and Thomas Vermaelen is suffering with a long term injury. Luckily Johann Djourou has improved greatly to add some consistency to the Arsenal back four but Wenger is actively looking for new additions.

The likes of Gary Cahill, Per Mertesacker and Phil Jagielka have been strongly linked with moves to the Emirates Stadium.

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Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has joined team-mate Micah Richards on the sidelines for this Saturday’s Fa Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

The Argentina international tore his hamstring in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last night, compounding a difficult night for manager Roberto Mancini.

The 27-year-old has been in fine form this season scoring 19 goals in 28  league games, helping his onto the verge of Champions League qualification for the first time.

Being without their captain and talisman is a double blow after losing defender Richards to a hamstring injury while he was playing for England U21s.

Mancini is devastated by the news as he searches for the club’s first major trophy in 35 years but does expect to see Tevez again this season.

“I think that it is very difficult for (him to play on) Saturday,” he told Sky Sports.

Mancini then confirmed the player’s hamstring is torn but, asked if it would rule him out for the season, he said: “No, no, no. I don’t think so.”

“We’ll try [to get him fit for the Fa Cup semi-final] but we probably need two weeks. It is very difficult as it is only five days away.”

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards may not play again this season deepening the defensive crisis at the club.

The 22-year-old will miss up to six weeks of action with a grade two tear of his hamstring.

This definitely rules him out of the Fa Cup semi-final with Manchester United.

The England international plans to install an oxygen tent in his house to speed-up the recovery and assuming there is no complications could return for the final two weeks.

“It is not what I wanted to hear at all,” Richards told the club’s website.

“I felt sick when I was told. I knew from experience when I did it that it felt like a bad one but I was hoping for the best.

“All I can do now is concentrate on getting back as quickly as possible. I must admit I did think ‘why me?’ for a while when I heard the news.

“Of all the games to miss a Wembley date with United is the last one any player would choose.”

But the defensive problems do not stop there for manager Roberto Mancini.

Jerome Boateng damaged his knee while on international duty, with the German medical staff advising surgery, which will end his campaign.

But the Blues’ doctors will decide his recovery as Mancini hopes it will be similar to Mario Balotelli’s injury which required rehab, not an operation.

With Kolo Toure suspended because of a drug’s ban and Pablo Zabaleta on compassionate leave, Mancini will call upon youngster’s Dedryck Boyata and Wabara Reece for Sunday’s trip to Sunderland.

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Manchester City defender Micah Richards is facing a month on the sidelines after pulling a hamstring playing for the U21s against Denmark.

The 22-year-old hobbled off after just five minutes of the friendly for next summer’s European Championships.

It is a massive blow for the player, as he has shown glimpses of his full potential during the campaign, and the club, who face a tense finish to the season.

The Blues are chasing fourth spot in the Premier League to ensure Champions League qualification and an Fa Cup semi-final against fierce rivals Manchester United on April 16.

Richards could be facing four weeks on the sidelines meaning he is in a race to be fit for the Wembley showdown.

The powerful right-back has played 25 games for the club this season scoring three times. Jerome Boateng is expected to deputise in his absence.

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in signing disaffected Manchester City defender Micah Richards this summer. The Old Trafford boss knows that the chances of persuading their neighbours to sell them one of their players are slim but he may hope that the player himself will push for a move to the Premier League table toppers.

Ferguson is looking to freshen up his squad as a number of his ageing stars near the end of their careers and other under performing members look like being offloaded in the summer. The adaptable 22 year old City man has been frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities and would surely be tempted by a move to Man United.

Micah Richards has managed just 12 Premier League starts this season and the England international is apparently unhappy at not being a first team regular and that could lead to the Birmingham born youngster asking to leave Eastlands.

With Gary Neville retiring from the game and neither John O’Shea or Rafael being out and out first choice right backs there could well be space for Richards to shine in the Man United back four. He is also very effective in a central defensive role and it this versatility that may attract Ferguson.

Central defensive options at Man United may have improved with the mature displays shown by Chris Smalling impressing many, however the continued injury concerns over Rio Ferdinand and the drop in form shown by Jonny Evans may leave Ferguson looking for further strength in depth.

Micah Richards was reportedly a target for Ferguson a couple of seasons back and it appears the defender is back on his radar. The Man City man is now sixth season in the first team and has amassed an impressive total of 150+ senior appearances in the process.

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Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini admits the injuries in his squad are a ‘big problem’.

The Blues welcome Aris Salonika to Eastlands in the second leg of their Europa League tie but will be without key players.

Adam Johnson, Nigel de Jong (both ankle), Micah Richards (calf) and James Milner (hamstring) will all be out causing a shortage of midfield options.

Mancini has also been rocked with the news Shay Given’s season is over, as a shoulder injury will keep the goalkeeper out for three months.

“We have a big problem, a lot of games and a lot of injuries,” he said.

“It is always going to be difficult when you are playing a match every three days.

“Injuries are a part of the game but at least we have all our strikers available. If we can keep it that way for the next three matches, we should be able to make progress.”

Mancini has warned City to be wary of Aris after the Greek side’s defence kept them at bay last week.

He added: “We will need to pay attention against Aris because 0-0 is not the best result away from home, but the pitch will be better and if we play well I’m sure we can score goals.

“We will need to play well, because Aris have shown they can get results away from home. They beat Atletico in Madrid.”

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Skysports.com understands Liverpool also approached Manchester City for Micah Richards and were prepared to go up to £20million for the defender. City rejected the Reds’ approach.

SOURCE: Sky Sports

Sky Sports News sources understand Liverpool have renewed their interest in bringing Blackpool’s Charlie Adam to Anfield.

All eyes are on the Reds during transfer deadline day with Fernando Torres’ potential £50million move to Chelsea sparking frenzied speculation on new arrivals.

Liverpool confirmed they have had a bid, reported at £35million, accepted for Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll and it now appears that the Merseysiders are ready to use the rest of the Torres cash to bring Adam to the club.

Adam, who submitted a transfer request earlier in the January transfer window when Liverpool tabled a £4million bid for his services, was told he would not be allowed to leave the Premier League new-boys until the summer.

Sky Sports sources have revealed Liverpool have sent a car to Blackpool’s training ground but it remains to be seen whether the 25-year-old will head to Melwood in time for Monday’s 11pm deadline.

SOURCE: Sky Sports

Having seemingly sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea Liverpool are clearly looking to use the money from the sale immediately and having bought Andy Carroll from Newcastle United plans are being made to strengthen Anfield’s average squad but it seems that Manchester City were unwilling to accept moves to sign England international Micah Richards, despite the fact that he is by no means a first team regular at Eastlands.

Blackpool’s moves for Andy Reid and James Beattie have left many thinking that Ian Holloway is ready to allow Charlie Adam to leave the club and with that in mind Kenny Dalglish is set to make an improved bid for the Scottish international who has already had a transfer request turned down by the Tangerines.

Liverpool’s owners will be quick to attempt to shift attention from their selling of Torres by spending the money on new additions and with just hours left to go, expect a great deal of speculation to come out of Anfield.

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