[tomvoyeur]

Richardson race gathering pace

Richardson turned his back on a permanent move to West Brom, where he had spent a successful loan spell in January 2005, two summers ago in a bid to fight for a regular first-team spot at Old Trafford.

But the 22-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence, found himself behind Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze in the fight for the left-back slot - and struggled to dislodge veteran winger Ryan Giggs.

The summer arrivals of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson have pushed Richardson even further down the pecking order.

And with that in mind, Sunderland and Sheffield United have put him on their wanted list - with Roy Keane keen to be reunited with his former Red Devils team-mate and Blades boss Bryan Robson hoping to lure him after managing him during his spell in charge of Albion.

If Sir Alex Ferguson does decide to let Richardson go, however, the two clubs face a fight for his signature.

Incoming Manchester City chief Sven-Goran Eriksson, who gave Richardson his England debut on a summer tour of the USA, would like him at Eastlands for next season.

And Everton gaffer David Moyes is keen to bolster his left-sided options, having to field star midfielder Mikel Arteta on the left flank for large parts of last season.