Micah Richards 'wanted to cry'

The England defender admits that he was almost reduced to tears following the Red Devils' 2-0 win at Ewood Park and hailed Sir Alex Ferguson as one of the best managers around.Manchester City defender Micah Richards has revealed that he "wanted to cry" after watching Manchester United claim a 2-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers at the beginning of April.Roberto Mancini's men had been league leaders for the majority of the campaign but the Red Devils' resurgence in 2012 has pegged back their rivals and the 2-0 win at Ewood Park helped move Sir Alex Ferguson's side five points clear at the top of the table.United have since extended that cushion to eight points following their win over QPR, coupled with Arsenal's victory over City, last weekend and Richards has admitted that he was close to tears after watching the Red Devils ease to victory at Blackburn earlier in the mont"At half-time and at 60 minutes, I thought: 'You never know', but United do always look like they will score," he told the Daily Mail."So I knew it was going to come. But when they got it and went further clear of us, I actually wanted to cry and I haven't done that or felt like that in years."Football is full of emotions. You get angry and happy but I have never wanted to cry before. This time I did as that's how much it means."I have been grafting so hard this season, we have played unbelievable football and to see United come like this is horrendous. It kills me."City face West Brom at home on Wednesday and will welcome Manchester United to the Etihad Stadium on April 30 but the Premier League title looks a long shot, with Richards praising Sir Alex for the way he has galvanised his side this season."[Sir Alex Ferguson] Fergie has got to be one of the best managers that I've ever come across because, if we had got beaten 6-1 that day, United would have been 20 points clear by now," he concluded.