Redknapp: United and City the teams to beat

Harry Redknapp thinks the English Premier League will not become any easier with Manchester United and Manchester City in the Europa League.

City and United both finished third in their respective Champions League groups, meaning they fail to progress to the round of 16, instead dropping into UEFA’s second-tier competition.

The majority of Europa League fixtures are scheduled on a Thursday, and some teams have struggled in the past to produce in weekend league action after minimal rest.

But Tottenham manager Redknapp believes United and City are likely to use their large squads to good effect as they attempt to juggle domestic and European commitments.

“I don’t think it makes a lot of difference really, they’re involved in Europe, whether it’s Champions League or not, I would think they would juggle around with their teams,” Redknapp said.

“Certainly Manchester United will. They’ve got strong squads, they’ll be there at the end of the year won’t they, those two teams.”

“I suppose it depends what sort of side they put out and if they’re going to go for it.”

“I think Man City have a chance to play the players that are not in their first team, so they’ll be very strong every week because they have such a strong squad.”

“I don’t know what Alex (Ferguson) will do, whether he’ll juggle around with his team, I’m sure he will, that Thursday night – Sunday one is difficult.”

Spurs are away to Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday, with Redknapp expecting a typically difficult encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

“We’ve been to Stoke for the last couple of years and had great results and won there,” he said.

“You never get an easy game at Stoke, we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

“So we’ve got to be prepared for what they offer, and we know it will be difficult, but we’ve got to go and play our game, and if we do that we’ve got a chance, a good chance.”