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United have no chance of title: Riise
19 April 2002
By Sports.com's ALAM KHAN
John Arne Riise has written off Manchester United's title hopes while pledging his future to Liverpool.
As the Premiership race hots up, the Norwegian - who has been linked with a big-money move to Barcelona and Real Madrid - believes his Reds or leaders Arsenal will win the coveted trophy.
And Riise has added fuel to the fire by claiming rivals United, currently in third, have been "unstable".
"United have been unstable this year, something that hasn't been characteristic of them during the last few seasons," he said.
"I don't think they've got any chance of winning the championship. For that to happen, both ourselves and Arsenal will have to mess up.
"Arsenal have everything in their own hands and will take the title if they win their last five games.
"Unlike the other contenders, they haven't had any bad spells this season. Perhaps if they lose when they play United next month, that could rock their boat.
"But put it this way, I'd rather be in their position than ours right now."
Second-placed Liverpool will look to keep their hopes alive with victory over Derby on Saturday and Riise admits he is delighted with the continued progress they've made.
"We've been improving during the season," added the flying left wing-back, who also knows a weekend win will relegate the Rams to Division One. "We're very solid, and concede few goals.
"Right now we just have to do our job and win our remaining games, then we'll just have to hope that's enough to win the title."
And Riise's agent Einar Baardsen has also denied reports linking him with a move away from Anfield as he said: "There was a report in Spain that Real Madrid are interested in John Arne.
"That was picked up in England, and then a representative from Barcelona called me up to check if there was any truth in it. He also said they would consider buying Riise.
"I told Barcelona that John Arne loved Liverpool and that he had been having the time of his life at the club. He wants to stay there and Liverpool know that."
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Personally, I think Riise writing off Man U is a very stupid thing to say!! Simple rule.. NEVER right off an opponent.. if anything.. it gets them motivated to prove you wrong!!.. reminds me of Alex Ferguson who's written of Arsenal chances and has claimed he believes Arsenal will lose the FA Cup to Chelsea...
IMO, I believe you don't have to talk.. just play.. and win to prove a point.. but going out like that is something that we really do not need..
19 April 2002
By Sports.com's ALAM KHAN
John Arne Riise has written off Manchester United's title hopes while pledging his future to Liverpool.
As the Premiership race hots up, the Norwegian - who has been linked with a big-money move to Barcelona and Real Madrid - believes his Reds or leaders Arsenal will win the coveted trophy.
And Riise has added fuel to the fire by claiming rivals United, currently in third, have been "unstable".
"United have been unstable this year, something that hasn't been characteristic of them during the last few seasons," he said.
"I don't think they've got any chance of winning the championship. For that to happen, both ourselves and Arsenal will have to mess up.
"Arsenal have everything in their own hands and will take the title if they win their last five games.
"Unlike the other contenders, they haven't had any bad spells this season. Perhaps if they lose when they play United next month, that could rock their boat.
"But put it this way, I'd rather be in their position than ours right now."
Second-placed Liverpool will look to keep their hopes alive with victory over Derby on Saturday and Riise admits he is delighted with the continued progress they've made.
"We've been improving during the season," added the flying left wing-back, who also knows a weekend win will relegate the Rams to Division One. "We're very solid, and concede few goals.
"Right now we just have to do our job and win our remaining games, then we'll just have to hope that's enough to win the title."
And Riise's agent Einar Baardsen has also denied reports linking him with a move away from Anfield as he said: "There was a report in Spain that Real Madrid are interested in John Arne.
"That was picked up in England, and then a representative from Barcelona called me up to check if there was any truth in it. He also said they would consider buying Riise.
"I told Barcelona that John Arne loved Liverpool and that he had been having the time of his life at the club. He wants to stay there and Liverpool know that."
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Personally, I think Riise writing off Man U is a very stupid thing to say!! Simple rule.. NEVER right off an opponent.. if anything.. it gets them motivated to prove you wrong!!.. reminds me of Alex Ferguson who's written of Arsenal chances and has claimed he believes Arsenal will lose the FA Cup to Chelsea...
IMO, I believe you don't have to talk.. just play.. and win to prove a point.. but going out like that is something that we really do not need..
