Vilde Boe Risa dropped by Norway & advised Man Utd 'probably not the right club'
Manchester United pair Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa have been left out of the first Norway squad chosen by national legend Hege Riise, with the latter advised by the new boss in light of the snub that she could be at the wrong club.
Previously a target for former boss Casey Stoney, Boe Risa was United’s first signing of the summer in 2021, crucially before Marc Skinner was appointed - he ultimately preferred others.
The midfielder did show flashes of form during her first year at the club - including a fine goal against Chelsea - yet wasn’t a regular starter. She started just two of the club’s final 10 WSL games of the campaign and was withdrawn with more than 20 minutes remaining in both of those.
Boe Risa, who played nearly every minute across Norway’s five games at the 2019 World Cup, was still chosen for Euro 2022 during the summer. But she only started the 8-0 thrashing at the hands of England and otherwise had to make do with substitute appearances in a disappointing tournament.
Since the ‘sting’ of being left out for September's World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday, the 27-year-old hinted to Norwegian broadcaster TV2 that new coach Riise has reservations about her being at a club where she isn’t playing regularly.
“Playing in the national team is the biggest thing for me, so this stings,” Boe Risa explained.
“[I] have spoken to Hege…she called me yesterday. The way I understand it, she probably doesn't think United is the right club for me and should consider something else. It's tough to hear.”
Upon arriving in Manchester last year, Boe Risa described the move to United as a ‘dream come true’. It was also reported at the time that she had chosen to join the club despite missing out on Champions League qualification and the surprise resignation of Stoney.
She has a contract with United until the summer of 2023, with the option of an extra year.
As for Thorisdottir, she was a near constant in an otherwise revolving door United defence last season. But she struggled at Euro 2022 as Norway crashed out at the group stage.
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