Outspoken Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has labelled Manchester United as "unstable" and ridiculed their chances of winning a fourth successive Premiership title.
Riise, this week linked with a summer move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, reckons United have no chance of being crowned champions again, believing it is a straight title fight between favourites Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Gunners currently lead the way by one point from Gerard Houllier's side and have a game in hand on both Liverpool and United, who are a further point back.
Liverpool should claim an Anfield win against a Derby side who will be relegated if they fail to win, so keeping the pressure on Arsenal, who are at home on Sunday to another side on the brink of the drop in Ipswich.
But as for United, Riise said: "They have been unstable this year, something that hasn't been characteristic of them during the last few seasons.
"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, and 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."
PA