MAN CITY DEFENDER Micah Richards has chided neighbours Man United ahead of the meeting of the two sides this weekend, claiming Alex Ferguson’s men are ‘a bit frightened’ of their rivals.

Roberto Mancini’s side have begun the season in impressive fashion, and they currently sit two points ahead of United at the top of the league.

Meanwhile, they go into the game in a buoyant mood, having secured a last-gasp winner against Villareal in the Champions League in midweek.

And City defender Richards has now claimed United “know” City are “a genuine threat to them,” and added:

“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.”

Richards also revealed that he enjoys a friendly rivalry with a number of the United players:

“The players on both sides always have banter. I always speak to Danny Welbeck, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley, and Ashley Young. I will be playing against Ashley if I play at the weekend, and he says he’s going to rip me!”

The game kicks off at 1.30pm this Sunday, with United looking to avenge their FA Cup defeat last season.

For the full interview, read the Manchester Evening News>

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