Sunderland fullback Kieran Richardson has revealed how he was told the could be the 'new Roberto Carlos' at former club Manchester United.

Discussing his new left-back role, Richardson recalled: “I remember Carlos Queiroz telling me, ‘You can play there, you’ve got energy and pace so you can go forward and be like Roberto Carlos’.

“Obviously, when people like that are saying these things there must be something in it but I wasn’t having any of it.

“I was young and just wanted to keep playing in midfield.

“I’d scored two goals for England playing on the wing and all my life I’d been an attacking player.

“I would have played anywhere for Manchester United but I wasn’t enthusiastic about the switch and I think they knew that.”