Richardson has won eight caps for England during his career

Sunderland utility man Kieran Richardson has revealed he is happy to play in whatever position manager Steve Bruce selects him.

Richardson, 24, has played out of position at left-back in the last two games but believes in putting the team before personal preference.

"Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'Good players can play anywhere' and that stuck in my mind" he told BBC Newcastle.

"We've got a small squad and I'm a versatile player."

Saturday's trip to Old Trafford represents a poignant return for Richardson, who joined from West Ham United aged 16 and went on to make 81 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils in six years.

And the Greenwich-born player, who earned eight caps for England, says it will be nice to feature for Sunderland at his former club after two seasons of disappointment.

"It's my first time I've gone back, the first season I was injured and then last season I was suspended," he added.

"It's a great place, I'd come through the ranks, it's a great place to be and it's the 'Theatre of Dreams'.

"They've got great fans and everyone was good to me during the time I was there."

Former Sunderland boss Roy Keane signed Richardson from Manchester United in July 2007 for a fee of £5.5m.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version