When Micah Richards played at Old Trafford for the first time in 2006, he would have seen a huge banner hung in a corner of the Stretford End that said ‘30 YEARS.’
It was a reminder to Manchester City that they had not lifted a trophy since 1976.
It was a permanent feature at the stadium, placed there with Manchester United ’s blessing, and altered with every passing season as a stinging show of disrespect to City’s failure.
Even though Sir Alex Ferguson was winning Premier League and Champions Leagues, it never did any harm to remind the neighbours they were rubbish.
But “the banner”, as it came to be known in Manchester, was a constant source of ridicule. City fans hated it, as you’d expect.
It wasn’t until 2011, when Richards was in the City team that won the FA Cup, that it came down.
For many City fans that was a landmark moment more satisfying than qualifying for the Champions League that season.
Some United supporters felt it should still remain in place - and be wound forward to read ‘43 YEARS’ to reflect City’s wait to be champions.
They would have been relieved that they didn’t.
City won 6-1 on their next visit to Old Trafford and went on to lift the Premier League trophy. Richards was also wearing Sky Blue that day.
But the former England full-back now works in the media. He’s a regular on Sky and Match of the Day and also has his own newspaper column. Richards is in demand.
He would have been stung by the criticism levelled at him for his exuberance in watching Roy Keane squirm as the Irishman gave United’s players both barrels after their derby surrender at the Etihad on Sunday.
Richards probably should have been more circumspect than to respond to Keane's ire with a belly laugh; even if it might have actually captured the mood of the nation.
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It’s no coincidence that Sky have been showing it on a loop for 48 hours and have added it to their catch-up catalogue.
Richards took to social media to dismiss suggestions that he showed a lack of respect.
He is still only 33 years-old. But for injury, he would probably still be a player rather than a pundit.
I last spoke to him in June 2020, when we discussed the blight of racism on football, and it was clear he had strong, reasoned opinions about the game and where it was going.
He has brought a breath of fresh air into the TV studios and his bromance with Keane is pure gold.
During our conversation, he admitted he had undertaken no media training.
I would assume that has since changed, because he knows his limitations and he wants to become a serious voice in the media.
But the reality is that Richards is learning on the job and needs to be cut some slack.
Gary Neville, by his own admission, was as wooden as an oak tree when he began his broadcasting career. Jamie Carragher was no better; the same with Gary Lineker.
All three have become must-watch pundits and presenters. But every now and again, their masks slip.
Neville admitted it was impossible for him to call for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s sacking because he once shared a dressing room with the Norwegian.
On Sunday, when City were making United look as static as 11 dustbins, he questioned why no-one in Ralf Rangnick’s side was prepared to make a two-footed tackle.
Carragher’s voice sometimes rises to such a high octave when Liverpool score that dogs start barking.
Anyone remember him screaming “Mo Salah, you little dancer” after the Egyptian had found the back of United’s net?
Richards was born in Birmingham, grew up in Leeds and supported Arsenal as a boy.
But he spent the best years of his life at the Etihad - and I know he remembers the banner that was once draped off the second tier of the Stretford End.
Surely he can be forgiven for having a laugh.
