Micah Richards hilariously looked to defend himself for his role in Wayne Rooney’s stunning derby winner for Manchester United against Manchester City in 2011.

The full back, now a pundit for Sky Sports and CBS Sports, was left helpless when Rooney launched into the air and hooked an acrobatic effort home at Old Trafford.

Footage of a goal that quickly cemented itself into the annals of Premier League history showed Vincent Kompany, City’s captain, marking Rooney in the box.

Kompany then slipped, however, allowing Rooney time and space to arch himself for his volley, while Richards was unable to get close enough to challenge the striker. 

Micah Richards (right) watched on as Wayne Rooney scored an overhead kick against Man City

Rooney capitalised on a slip from Vincent Kompany and flashed his effort beyond Joe Hart

The end result, a rip-roaring strike that settled the derby, stings Richards to this day.

‘It’s not my favourite [goal]!’ he jokingly admitted on Sky Sports. ‘It’s absolutely annoying. I just want to give you a masterpiece of analysis here. 

‘Just watch Vincent Kompany in the middle of the screen. 

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‘He actually slips and it’s not my man. I’m covering the man on the outside and then the camera just zooms on my face. I thought I had it. It was an incredible finish.

‘I really thought I had it. But it was Kompany’s fault, not mine.’

Richards, now a pundit, hilariously insisted there was little he could have done to stop the goal

But Roy Keane was unimpressed with Richards’ justification.

‘It doesn’t matter about your man,’ he argued. ‘You’re part of a team game and if your mate slips, you’re ready to cover for him. And you weren’t. You were snoozing.’ 

The victory proved vital for United, who cantered home to the Premier League title.

Rooney’s effort, just his sixth of the season, arrived in the 78th minute and sparked pandemonium around the ground. He admitted the goal was the best of his career.

At the end of the year, City trailed their neighbours in third place and by nine points.