The Blues reigning player of the month was stretchered off in the opening minutes of England’s Under-21 win over Denmark last Thursday night.
It was feared he might be out for as long as a month with a hamstring pull but the defender is determined to beat the clock and make the Wembley date on April 16.
“I will do anything and everything to be ready for that game,” he said on his way for a scan on the injury.
“I knew straight away what I had done because I heard the dreaded ‘ping’. It is a bit sore but I’m hoping it is not too bad.
“Some of the other lads have used an Oxygen tent to help them recover more quickly from injuries so I am willing to give it a go. I will sleep in the thing if necessary. I want to be available for that game against United. It is going to be a great occasion.
“It is a bit of a sickener picking up the injury at this time; we had a lot of games in quick succession but I felt I was holding my form quite well.
I will miss a couple of vital Premier League games but I won’t miss the semi-final through lack of trying
...Micah Richards
Richards was in the process of captaining the young England side in Denmark and they went on to win the game 4-0.
“Anytime you wear the arm band for your country it is an incredible proud moment but I ended up watching eighty minutes from the sidelines,” lamented Richards who will take his leave of the under 21s after this summer’s European Championships back in Denmark from 11-25 June.
“But the lads were brilliant and we have a decent squad going forward into the tournament in the summer.”
