by NANNY RED » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:28 pm
Fernando Torres tips Manchester Utd for title
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes Manchester United are favourites to win the Premier League title but that everything will come down to Liverpool's game at Old Trafford on March 14.
By Duncan White
Last Updated: 7:46PM GMT 12 Jan 2009
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has admitted that Manchester United are clear favourites to win the Premier League title
Liverpool lead the league by four points from Chelsea but Manchester United, five points in arrears, have two games in hand.
"Firstly United have two games in hand and if they win both they will be top of the League. That is certainly possible for a team of their quality.
"We respect them totally for the class of players they have. Many of them are among the best in the world. They're the clear favourites to win the title. We're working hard to compete with them and finish above them, and we're on course to achieve that.
"We know the chances we have. We have to go to Old Trafford and we will play Arsenal and Chelsea at home and we shouldn't drop more points like the other day. I think United have their chances as do Chelsea and Liverpool. We have to fight till the end and we'll see what happens. Few teams can win the Premier League today and we can be champions this year.
"I think the game at Old Trafford will decide the title. If everything goes as we expect we think we will go there in a similar position to now to that game. We will have to play our game to try and get a result in a ground where in the last few years has not been good for Liverpool."
The tension between the old rivals has escalated over the last week, with Rafael Benitez and Alex Ferguson immersed in a very public and personal spat but Torres insisted that what goes on between the managers is between them and does not bother the players.
"The statements the managers are off the pitch where they play their own league. I don't know their motives it's their own thing. So I can't say much.
After demolishing Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, United have it in their hands to claim lead iin the league from Liverpool. They are five points behind the league leaders with two games in hand, playing Wigan at Old Trafford on Wednesday night and Bolton at the Reebok stadium on Saturday. Liverpool do not play until the Monday night, when Everton visit Anfield for the Merseyside derby.
Torres has struggled with hamstring injuries this season and has only just returned from his latest month-long spell of recuperation, coming on as a substitute in Liverpool's last two games. However, he should be ready to start against Everton and start to find the form he showed in scoring 33 goals last season.
"Of course I know how important it is for the city and the fans to win the League after 19 years. From the day I arrived it was clear to me that the most important competition to win is the League, even more than the Champions League. I know we have a great opportunity. We're fighting with Manchester [United] and Chelsea to win it this year. We have our chances as do the others. We will fight till the end and we will try to finally win this title for the club that has not won it for such a long time and to continue being the team with the most titles in England."
HE WHO BETRAYS WILL ALWAYS WALK ALONE