Harry Redknapp

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

The Manchester United star caused a storm last week by stating he was ready to call time on his Old Trafford career, but then had a change of heart and agreed a contract extension with United to keep him at the club until 2015 (Manchester United 9/2 to win the 2010-11 Premier League).

The 25-year-old’s private life has also dominated the front and back pages in recent weeks, but Capello claims the only thing that counts for him is the striker’s actions on the pitch. With just one league goal to his name this season, a penalty against West Ham, Capello has told Rooney he needs to find his form or risk losing his place in the England side.

“If he’s (in form) I’ll play him, otherwise no,” Capello told RAI. “For anything else, you’ve got to ask (Manchester United boss Sir Alex) Ferguson.”

Rooney has struggled for form since the end of last season and failed to deliver for England at the World Cup in South Africa during the summer.

Ferguson stated earlier in the campaign the striker was suffering with an ankle problem, which Rooney later denied, although he is now sidelined with an ankle injury which will see him miss Tuesday’s Carling Cup showdown with Wolves at Old Trafford.

Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is expected to be rested, after hitting a brace against Stoke on Sunday, and Ferguson could hand Michael Owen the chance to impress against Mick McCarthy’s men.

The United boss set to make plenty of changes to his starting XI in order to give his first choice players a rest ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown with Spurs on Saturday (Manchester United 2/7, Draw 4/1, Wolves 11/1 – Match Betting).

Rooney could possibly return to action on November 10 when United make the short trip across Manchester to face fierce rivals Manchester City at Eastlands, despite initial reports suggesting he could be out of action for over three weeks.

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