Micah Richards blames Manchester City for gifting United the title

Richards in action for Manchester City against Bayern Munich

Manchester City defender Micah Richards has stated that his team only has themselves to blame for their poor title defence last season, Manchester Evening News reports.

Richards said that it was painful to watch cross town rivals Manchester United seize the Premier League trophy last season.

The England international was benched for most of last season but will most likely be in the line-up for the trip to West Ham United at Upton Park.

Richards confessed that United deserved the trophy due to their stellar results but also stated that his team and Chelsea did not give them enough competition.

“It was frustrating last season when United won the league, because no-one really played that well and it was there for the taking. Seeing them regain the title was a bit of a downer,” said Richards.

Manchester City will have to fight off a number of teams this season in their quest to be champions of England.

“Arsenal look good, and if they continue this form until January and buy a few more players, they could be contenders, and Chelsea will be there or thereabouts under Mourinho,” he said.

“Some people have said United don’t look that good, but they will be challenging, and then there are teams like Spurs and Liverpool knocking on the door.

“It will be very competitive, and we don’t think we are now the best because we beat United in the manner we did in the derby. It was a good team performance on the day, but if you looked at us against Cardiff, we looked like an average team. We need a bit of consistency, and with the confidence we got from the derby, we will take it from there.”

Richards was not on national duty due to injuries but has since made a recovery and will most likely be included in Saturdays match due to the other defenders suffering from fatigue due to the World Cup qualifiers.

Former City manager Roberto Mancini used Richards sparingly, and he was linked with moves to AS Roma and Newcastle United due to his lack of playing time. The right-back has spent most of his youth career at City and has no intention of leaving the club.

The 25-year-old is angered when fans write off City’s English players.

He said: “When we won the league Joleon and Vinny were superb together. It’s ridiculous when people doubt whether he’s good enough.

“It’s the same with Milner, a player who starts regularly for England, and could start for us. Jesus Navas is one of the manager’s signings, so he is going to start.

“But when it gets to the horrible months, in December, when it’s freezing cold, players like Milly are unbelievable for a team.

“It’s still early doors for myself. When we won the league I played the majority of the games at right-back. So when people say there is no English talent, it’s more a case of the manager feeling his squad, so when your chance comes you have to take it.

“You are always challenged, playing in the Premier League, and especially in a top-four team. I have always loved that

challenge and have been doing it for eight years, with all sorts of centre-halves and right-backs coming in.

“I have always managed to remain part of the manager’s plans, so I will continue to do that.”

Richards’s recent seasons have been hampered by injuries but the player is confident that he will pull through.

“It’s been quite frustrating. With the knee injury, it was hard because you are hoping to get back early, and then the physios are telling you it might take a month or six weeks longer than expected so that it doesn’t recur,” he said.

“It’s part and parcel of injuries. It has been hard at times, when I do get a little bit down, I always see there are people a lot worse off than me. Although I want to be on the pitch, it’s an injury that can be fixed, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You have to make sure you come back stronger, and I’m feeling good now.”

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellengrini is set to welcome back Vincent Komapny, Jack Rodwell and Martin Demichelis from injury for the game against West Ham United.