MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS Sir Alex Ferguson believes Sunday’s clash with Spurs could be the last time he meets Harry Redknapp in domestic football.
Ferguson believes Redknapp will be appointed England boss before the European Championships start in June, and with United journeying to White Hart Lane on this afternoon, the 70-year-old Scot feels it could be the last time he encounters his old rival.
“I think this will be the last time we meet in the league,” Ferguson said.
“I think it’s inevitable that Harry will get the England job, I really do. I don’t see anyone else in the frame. I know the FA are supposed to be drawing up a list and all the rest of it, but everybody knows who the press and the public want.”
United need a win at Tottenham to keep the pressure on league leaders Manchester City, but having grown under Redknapp’s tutelage, the North Londoners are expected to mount a strong challenge. In Ferguson’s view, that expectation alone is testament to his opposite number’s skill and influence as a manager.
“You are talking about a manager who has changed the whole club around in a fairly short time, put together a team full of talent,” he said. “He will leave a strong, young squad and a lot of good players, there is no doubt about that, but over time his personality and experience will be missed.”
“Because the squad is a good age I could see Spurs keeping their momentum initially, but with a new manager they might have to start all over again.”
With City currently enjoying a five-point advantage at the head of the Premier League table, victory for United over Spurs would significantly increase the likelihood of the 19-time champions mounting a successful title challenge. Ferguson, though, is sanguine about the implications of a less favourable result.
“I don’t see either City or ourselves dropping too many points between now and the end of the season, but I am sure points will be dropped – they always are,” he said. “You never know, maybe progress in the Europa League will prove to be a deciding factor.”
“From our point of view, the Spurs game is our most important so far. If we can survive at White Hart Lane it will be a question of trying to keep our momentum going until we reach the City game (April 30 at Etihad Stadium).”
“If we are still in striking distance by then it will be a best-man-wins type of situation at the Etihad, and that is not the worst scenario for us. I’d settle for that.”
A win for Redknapp’s men would see Spurs retain third place in the Premier League table and reestablish a seven-point advantage over fourth-placed Arsenal.
