Richardson gives Sven and Fergie food for thought

KIERAN RICHARDSON has set himself a double goal — to help Manchester United regain the Premiership title and force his way into the 2006 World Cup squad.

His targets follow his spectacular England breakthrough against the US in Chicago. Richardson became the first player to score twice on his England debut since former Ipswich and Liverpool striker David Johnson achieved the feat against Wales at Wembley 30 years ago.

Johnson made only seven more appearances for his country, despite scoring six goals, but Richardson can look forward to winning many more caps if he sustains and builds on his explosive start in the Soldier Field Stadium on Saturday.

He is quick to recognise the importance of his loan spell at West Brom and their manager Bryan Robson in kick-starting a career that had struggled to move out of second gear at Old Trafford. But now Richardson's thoughts are on the future and he is desperate to play on a more regular basis for United and be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad in Germany in just over 12 months.

He said: "What has happened has been a dream and hopefully it will carry on and I can get in the England squad for the World Cup."

To have more opportunities, Richardson knows he has to be playing at club level regularly.

He said: "It has really helped me playing regularly in the Premiership. I have become stronger and gained great experience. I think I have come on as a player thanks to the time at West Brom. Hopefully I will be going back to United next month a much better player, stronger physically and more confident, and I can establish myself in the Premiership. I hope I have given Alex Ferguson food for thought. I want to be a Man United player.

"Regular first-team football is the key to have a chance of making the World Cup. If you're not playing in the first team, then the gaffer can't see how you're playing so hopefully next season I can do that for Manchester United."

Richardson's confidence was there for all to see when he made it clear to the likes of Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole that he would take the free-kick which led to the opening goal after four minutes.

England number two Steve McClaren, who worked with Richardson at United, said: "You have to have that arrogance and self-belief at the top level and Kieran has it. It is an asset if you control it. That is something he has to control and he will learn that through maturity and experience.

"What I remember about Kieran at United is exactly what you saw against America the enthusiasm, the ability, the talent. He just wants to play football and get on the ball."