In the summer of 2005, Richards was called up by the Manchester City’s first team for the Premier League Asia Trophy.
He was later promoted to the first team in early October 2005.
Richards made his first-team debut on 22 October 2005 against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute for Danny Mills in the 85th minute of a 1–0 defeat at Highbury.
After the match, he said it was the most memorable day of his life.
It was not until on 1 February 2006 when he made another appearance, again as a late replacement in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United.
Eleven days later he made his first start, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–2 win over Charlton Athletic.
His first goal came on 19 February, heading in a last-minute corner to earn a 1–1 draw away to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Manager Pearce praised his performance after the match.
Richards swore on live national television when interviewed after the game, later reflecting that "I won the Premier League and played for England but it seems everyone always remembers me best for swearing live on BBC One on a Sunday afternoon".
Following this game, he then received a handful of first team football for the remaining matches of the 2005–06 season.
At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

In July 2006, Manchester City rejected a bid of £5 million for Richards from Tottenham Hotspur.
On 25 July 2006, he signed a new four-year contract, quashing rumours of a move away from the City of Manchester Stadium.
At the start of the 2006–07 season, Richards helped the side kept two clean sheets between 23 August 2006 and 26 August 2006.
However, during a 1–0 loss against Reading on 11 September 2006, he was criticised by Pearce after reacting furiously when he was substituted in the 60th minutes and threw his shirt to the ground and waved his arms in disgust.
Despite this, Richards continued to remain in the first team for the side and was praised once again by Manager Pearce for his professionalism.
At one point during the 2006–07 season, he played in a central midfield position, due to limit of midfielders.
Richards then scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Everton on 30 September 2006.
He appeared in every matches until he was dropped in December, due to a leg injury following a 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 December 2006.
But he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Sheffield United on 26 December 2006.
In a follow–up match against West Ham United, Richards kept another clean sheet, in a 1–0 win.
Over the next months, he competed with Hatem Trabelsi and Danny Mills over the right–back position.
However, Richards suffered a calf injury and had to be substituted during a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 17 March 2007, resulting in him sidelined for the remaining matches of the season.
Despite this, Richards was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2006–07 season.
Although he lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo, he was nevertheless awarded the Young Player of the Season by the Official Supporters' Club.
At the end of the 2006–07 season, he went on to make thirty–five appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Throughout 2007, Richards was linked with a move away from City, Stuart Pearce said "I am not actively looking to sell Micah because he has a great future here.
Whatever offers come in for him, it is going to take a ridiculously big offer to get him out of this football club.
I would love to see Micah stay here, captain the club, and maybe be here for 10 years and carry the club on his back if he can.
He is good enough to do it.
I have not worked with anyone so good and so young."
He later responded to the transfer speculation that he reaffirmed his commitment to stay at Manchester City.

In the 2007–08 season, Richards continued to be in the first team, having recovered from a calf injury and played in the pre–season friendly matches.
Richards started the season well when he helped Manchester City's defence to ke
In the summer of 2005, Richards was called up by the Manchester City’s first team for the Premier League Asia Trophy. He was later promoted to the first team in early October 2005. Richards made his first-team debut on 22 October 2005 against Arsenal, coming on as a substitute for Danny Mills in the 85th minute of a 1–0 defeat at Highbury. After the match, he said it was the most memorable day of his life. It was not until on 1 February 2006 when he made another appearance, again as a late replacement in a 3–0 win over Newcastle United. Eleven days later he made his first start, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3–2 win over Charlton Athletic. His first goal came on 19 February, heading in a last-minute corner to earn a 1–1 draw away to Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Manager Pearce praised his performance after the match. Richards swore on live national television when interviewed after the game, later reflecting that "I won the Premier League and played for England but it seems everyone always remembers me best for swearing live on BBC One on a Sunday afternoon". Following this game, he then received a handful of first team football for the remaining matches of the 2005–06 season. At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make sixteen appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
In July 2006, Manchester City rejected a bid of £5 million for Richards from Tottenham Hotspur. On 25 July 2006, he signed a new four-year contract, quashing rumours of a move away from the City of Manchester Stadium. At the start of the 2006–07 season, Richards helped the side kept two clean sheets between 23 August 2006 and 26 August 2006. However, during a 1–0 loss against Reading on 11 September 2006, he was criticised by Pearce after reacting furiously when he was substituted in the 60th minutes and threw his shirt to the ground and waved his arms in disgust. Despite this, Richards continued to remain in the first team for the side and was praised once again by Manager Pearce for his professionalism. At one point during the 2006–07 season, he played in a central midfield position, due to limit of midfielders. Richards then scored his first goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Everton on 30 September 2006. He appeared in every matches until he was dropped in December, due to a leg injury following a 2–1 loss against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 December 2006. But he made his return from injury, starting the whole game, in a 1–0 win over Sheffield United on 26 December 2006. In a follow–up match against West Ham United, Richards kept another clean sheet, in a 1–0 win. Over the next months, he competed with Hatem Trabelsi and Danny Mills over the right–back position. However, Richards suffered a calf injury and had to be substituted during a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 17 March 2007, resulting in him sidelined for the remaining matches of the season. Despite this, Richards was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2006–07 season. Although he lost out to Cristiano Ronaldo, he was nevertheless awarded the Young Player of the Season by the Official Supporters' Club. At the end of the 2006–07 season, he went on to make thirty–five appearances and scoring once in all competitions.
Throughout 2007, Richards was linked with a move away from City, Stuart Pearce said "I am not actively looking to sell Micah because he has a great future here. Whatever offers come in for him, it is going to take a ridiculously big offer to get him out of this football club. I would love to see Micah stay here, captain the club, and maybe be here for 10 years and carry the club on his back if he can. He is good enough to do it. I have not worked with anyone so good and so young." He later responded to the transfer speculation that he reaffirmed his commitment to stay at Manchester City.
In the 2007–08 season, Richards continued to be in the first team, having recovered from a calf injury and played in the pre–season friendly matches. Richards started the season well when he helped Manchester City's defence to ke
Micah Richards