Richards: United miss Ronaldo

Manchester City defender Micah Richards believes Manchester United lack the fear factor in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Sunday's clash between the rivals at Old Trafford.

The champions sold their prize asset Ronaldo to Real Madrid, the only club to have spent more than City in the summer transfer window, in an £80million deal this summer.

Richards feels the omission of their former Portuguese talisman is a major plus for his side but insists they will focus on their own game.

"United have always lost big stars in the past and they always manage to replace them but Ronaldo not playing is a massive positive for us," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"Hopefully we won't be thinking about them, and concentrating on what we are going to do."

The last two seasons has seen both sides inflict a double over each other as first City, under the guidance of Sven-Goran Eriksson, won back-to-back derbies before United matched the feat last term.

"Last year was disappointing but I don't think they were that much better than us," said Richards.

"They didn't wallop us off the park. But we showed two years ago, with a lesser team than we have now, what you can do by putting in 100 per cent."

City have picked up four wins from four games this season and passed their first big test last weekend after grabbing a controversial 4-2 win over Arsenal at Eastlands.

Taking on the champions in their own back yard is seen as a greater challenge to Richards however, but he is adamant his side are going for the win.

"This is definitely the test for us," he said.

"It's always going to be hard going to Old Trafford but a couple of seasons ago we completed the double over them by winning there and I don't see any reason why we can't do it this year.

"We are up for it. We have better players now and are relishing it. We love the challenge and playing in the derby will be unbelievable for the players.

"We have a couple of new faces who haven't experienced a Manchester derby before but I am sure that once the whistle blows they will be up for it.

"The most important thing is that we go out there and express ourselves," he said.

"We did that against Arsenal - normally against the bigger teams, our players hold back but we were outstanding and showed we have no fear.

"The fans are going to expect us to go to Old Trafford. If we give 100 per cent, who knows what can happen?"

City could be without their big-name forward line of Carlos Tevez and Robinho who are both struggling with injuries while Emmanuel Adebayor awaits confirmation of his suspension dates.