Harry Redknapp has told his Tottenham players to have no fear when they go to Manchester United on Saturday determined to prove they can mix it with the Premier League heavyweights (4/7 Man United 14/5 draw 5/1 Tottenham – 90 minutes betting).
Whisper it quietly to seasoned Tottenham followers, but you have to go back to 1989 to find the last time the north Londoners won at Old Trafford – just five months after Gareth Bale, who could be rested, was born.
It is an unwanted record Redknapp wants to shake off if Tottenham want to seal another place in the Premier League top four.
The White Hart Lane boss said: “Our league position is really the key because we need to finish in that top four if we want to be in the Champions League again.
“It’s important that we keep trying to pick up league points, even though we’re going to a great stadium with a special atmosphere and great tradition.”
Tottenham have failed to win any of their last 25 meetings with United in all competitions and Redknapp accepts it is a statistic which has to change.
He added: “It’s always a massive game and hopefully we will go up there and perform.”
Redknapp has admitted he is toying with the idea of wrapping Bale in cotton wool ahead of the visit of holders Internazionale FC in the Champions League on Tuesday (4/9 Tottenham – Uefa Champions League Group A – To Qualify).
He said: “Gareth Bale is fine but we’ve got two big games and I’ll look at it.
“He’s had a real hard spell of playing game after game and internationals. He had a few days off and went abroad – to Cardiff!
“He could have gone away but he wanted to spend a bit of time with his family.”
Tom Huddlestone will miss the trip north to take on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men because of an ankle injury, while Ledley King, Vedran Corluka, Jermain Defoe, Michael Dawson, Jamie O’Hara and Jonathan Woodgate are all out.
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England boss Fabio Capello has told striker Wayne Rooney if he does not rediscover his form, his place in the national side is under threat (England 8/1 to win 2012 European Championships).