Micah: Mario the key

ALWAYS HIM ... but will Mario Balotelli shine again on Monday?

MICAH RICHARDS believes Mario Balotelli could be the key in another Manchester derby on Monday.

The England defender was voted man of the match in City’s 6-1 romp over United in October — but felt the Italian ran him close.

Richards reckons Super Mario — back in contention after a three-game ban — is great at getting goals at just the right time.

Balotelli did just that twice in the Old Trafford win.

Full-back Richards said: “Mario was outstanding that day. Just when you want your striker to score, he took the pressure of us.

“It just shows his quality. In the games coming up we need to take our chances at the right time, too.”

City have scored 12 goals in their last three games without Balotelli but Richards says they may still need to improve goal difference.

He said: “You’ve seen the manager going mad when we haven’t scored easy chances.

“That could be the difference for the title.”

Richards is looking forward to renewing his battle with his England team-mate Ashley Young on Monday.

He said: “He’s not the fastest but he’s intelligent and good with the ball. He’s got a low centre of gravity”