Richards a big Mourinho fan, but is aiming to make him the '˜miserable one'

But he is desperate to make the special one a miserable one after his first visit to Northampton for the EFL Cup third round clash (ko 7.45pm).

Speculation is rife regarding what sort of team the Red Devils will field against the Cobblers, and whether the manager will pick his star names after a run of three straight defeats has sparked a mini crisis at Old Trafford.

But one person who is guaranteed to be at Sixfields and prowling the technical area in front of the west stand is Mourinho himself, and Richards says it that will be a privilege for all involved at Northampton.

“Jose Mourinho has done everything at club level in football, and for him to be involved in the same game we are going to be involved in is an honour,” said the Cobblers captain when asked about the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Internazionale boss.

“He is brilliant, he is a character and I love characters in football.

“But at the same time, we want to cause that upset, we want to upset his dressing room, get in their players’ faces and show what we can do as players.

“If we can cause an upset, then it is something we can look back on in years to come and be proud of.”

Richards is well aware that United’s poor run of form could lead to Mourinho fielding a stronger side at Sixfields to ensure his team can prevail in what the Cobblers captain says is now a ‘must-win’ for the visitors.

And the 34-year-old striker is happy with that.

“There could be a big backlash, and a few bigger names might appear now because of the run of results that they have had,” said Richards, who is likely to start the match on the bench..

“They need a win, are desperate for a win, and that’s not to say they would have brought a weak team here, and I just think now they will be that bit stronger.

“It is a must-win game for them as Manchester United don’t lose three games in a row very often.”

And when asked about what players he thinks the Cobblers could be coming up against, Richards added: “United are United.

“They are one of the best clubs in the world, and it comes part and parcel with playing one of the best clubs in the world, that even the second or third string teams are going to be full of talent and they are going to be very good.

“But I think whatever team comes to town, it is going to be full of household names, and it is going be a good test for our lads to come up against.”