SOCCER:TOTTENHAM'S RECORD at Old Trafford has been miserable for so long that the manager's part is barely a cameo in the story. The club, who are back there tonight, last won an away league match with Manchester United in 1989.
“I wasn’t here for many of the years,” said Harry Redknapp, who was appointed in the autumn of 2008. His side played in the Champions League last season and he hopes for a return to that arena. The current status of Tottenham is a delicate issue.
Redknapp finds a way to sound optimistic while implying that his squad will not be strong enough without new signings.
He expects United to retain the title, with Manchester City and Chelsea in pursuit. Redknapp likes to envisage Tottenham finishing immediately behind them.
“We’ll get one or two players in before the window closes,” he said. “You have to keep improving because the other teams have. Liverpool have done it.
“Arsenal spent £25 million on a couple of players (Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain). We haven’t really bought anybody. Brad Friedel came on a free transfer. If we get one or two in, we’ll be bang there again for sure.”
He regards Arsenal and Liverpool as his rivals for fourth. There was a fillip for Tottenham in a 5-0 win at Hearts that has in effect ensured they will qualify for the Europa League group phase.
The match was heartening, in addition, for the impact of Niko Kranjcar. Redknapp will have to count on more from other midfielders should Luka Modric be sold to Chelsea.
The Tottenham manager spoke warmly of Kranjcar but gently pointed out the trouble he will have making the starting line-up when his favoured position is on the left.
“He’s unlucky,” he said, “that he plays where Gareth Bale plays. Not many people would get in the side in front of Gareth. But Niko keeps his head, keeps working, he’s a fantastic boy. We all know he’s class.”
Tottenham have cause to suppose that they are developing and the right-back Kyle Walker, with his days on loan to other clubs behind him, is viewed as a candidate for England. Walker’s worth is about to be examined at Old Trafford. “It’s a big test for Kyle against Ashley Young,” Redknapp said. “Kyle’s quick (but) he’s still got a lot to learn. He has to slow himself down a little bit at times. He can’t be 100mph all the time but he’s certainly got the potential to be a very good player.”
Redknapp remains his usual restless self, hoping to take Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City, with the Eastlands club subsidising his wages.
Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, believes Wayne Rooney is back to his best. “He’s been flying in pre-season,” the United manager said. “His fitness is terrific, he has the same energy all the time, he is a restless player on the pitch, he can never stand still. He is a tremendous asset.
“It’s interesting to see how he is combining with (Danny) Welbeck at the moment. Both have done very well together.”
Giving 20-year-old Welbeck an opportunity in the Community Shield and at The Hawthorns has left Dimitar Berbatov consigned to the bench, whilst Ferguson also has Javier Hernandez to come back from concussion.
With defenders Rio Ferdinand (hamstring) and captain Nemanja Vidic (calf) sidelined, it will be a young backline that faces Spurs.
Phil Jones (19) makes his home debut following his €18.5 million summer move from Blackburn and will partner 23-year-old Jonny Evans at the heart of the back four, with 21-year-old Chris Smalling at right-back.
Patrice Evra returns at left back to add experience after missing the win over the Baggies with an ankle injury.
