The Sun

THREE Manchester United players risked the wrath of Roy Keane just moments before their clash against Tottenham.

Ahead of Spurs' 3-0 demolition of Erik ten Hag's side, both teams came out their dressing rooms and lined up in the tunnel.

Despite being just seconds away from going head-to-head on the pitch, there was a friendly vibe inside the tunnel.

Lisandro Martinez embraced his Argentina team-mate Cristian Romero and he also shared words with Pedro Porro.

The United centre-back was not done there as he also hugged Rodrigo Bentancur.

Diogo Dalot was also at it, saying hello to Porro and Romero.

And as goalkeeper Andre Onana made his way out to the front of the team, he was seen all smiles with Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario.

No-nonsense pundit Keane has previously expressed his hatred of friendliness in the tunnel, ranting back in 2019 before Man Utd faced Liverpool: "I'm disgusted with these players.

"You are going to war. You know, they are hugging and kissing.

"Don't even look at the opposition. You're going to battle against them."

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When Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley acted like best mates ahead of Manchester City vs Luton last year, Keane reacted: "Not for me. But we're all different."

Fortunately for Martinez, Dalot and Onana, the Irishman was not on punditry duty for Sky Sports today.

Soon after the tunnel love, Man Utd were stunned into silence by Brennan Johnson's opening goal within just three minutes of the game.

Gary Neville labelled the defending "awful" and "hopeless".

NOBODY was quite sure whether Bruno Fernandes had let down Erik ten Hag or provided him with a convenient excuse for another dismal Manchester United defeat.

Either way, the first-half red card United’s ‘captain’ received for a nasty late challenge on James Maddison, should not be allowed to disguise the fact that Tottenham were thoroughly outclassing Ten Hag’s side when it was 11 vs 11.

This was United’s second successive home league battering, after a 3-0 drubbing by Liverpool.

And it sharpened the focus on the decision of Old Trafford football supremo Sir Jim Ratcliffe to stick with Ten Hag as manager this summer.

Spurs, who had suffered seven straight defeats against top-half opposition, ran riot and should have been leading by more than a third-minute Brennan Johnson strike before Fernandes was sent packing by ref Chris Kavanagh.

The outstanding Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke added second-half goals for Ange Postecoglou’s team - but United were being overrun well before then.

Ten Hag now takes his bullet-ridden side to Porto and Aston Villa in the next seven days - a week which the manager might be lucky to survive on this evidence.

United, who increasingly resemble a Dutch Eredivisie All Star XI, are 12th in the table, having scored just five goals in six matches - three of them against hapless Southampton.

It is shambolic stuff and there is precious little evidence that a summer reboot of the squad has had any effect.

United finished eighth last season and it would be a surprise if they end this campaign any higher in the table.

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If Ten Hag has the support of the dressing-room then some of them have a funny way of showing it - not least his skipper.

Fernandes was sent off in the 42nd minute for a snidey challenge on Maddison, who had been strutting his stuff in midfield and helping to embarrass United.

It was the sort of tackle for which a nicer bloke might have received a yellow but Fernandes was not given the benefit of the doubt.

Ref Chris Kavanagh assumed malicious intent from the Portuguese and he was probably right.

Ten Hag, who handed Manuel Ugarte a first Premier League start, had demanded greater ruthlessness in his programme notes and so, with grim predictability, United were behind within 155 seconds.

Rashford, who was dropped for last week’s draw at Crystal Palace, overhit a pass and Micky van de Ven charged forward 60 yards, past four United defenders and cut back for Johnson to tap in.

This was the antithesis of ruthlessness. You often wonder whether some of United’s players listen to a word Ten Hag says.

The gleeful away fans sang "there’s only one Brennan Johnson", the fickleness of supporters knowing no bounds.

United were frequently mugged attempting to play out from the back, Spurs pressing like a pack of dogs.

Maddison and Kulusevski frequently linked up well and Destiny Udogie blazed over from one such link-up.

At one end, Matthijs de Ligt was a defensive liability and at the opposite end, Rashford was seriously wasteful.

Spurs were outclassing their hosts, one sweet passing move ending with Kulusevski teeing up Johnson who struck the inside of the post.

Joshua Zirkzee forced one decent save out of Guglielmo Vicario after some neat footwork from Kobbie Mainoo.

But Spurs were in control and Cristian Romero whistled a bicycle-kick narrowly wide from a Pedro Porro centre.

United were beginning to lose their discipline in the minutes leading up to Fernandes’ dismissal, with both full-backs - Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot booked for fouls.

Rashford finally did something right with a curling cross from which Alejandro Garnacho volleyed against the outside of the post.

But then came the red card - United’s captain making a sly, nasty late challenge on Maddison which would have been dangerous had he executed it more emphatically.

Kavanagh sent him off and while it might have been an ‘orange’, it was never a call that the VAR was likely to overturn.

Surprisingly, it was Fernandes’ first red card in a United shirt.

Ten Hag hooked Mainoo in favour of Mason Mount, who was promptly booked.

United were booed off at the break, which was the least they deserved. Spurs had been utterly dominant, United an embarrassment.

Ten Hag’s unique brand of tactical wizardry decreed that what ten-man United now needed was a bloke whose legs have gone and so he introduced Casemiro.

And within two minutes of the restart, Casemiro was one of three United players dawdling and dithering on the halfway line as Spurs broke away and doubled their lead.

This time, Johnson was the provider, darting down the right before his deflected cross was volleyed in from close range by Kulusevski.

With United threatening to subside, the Swede soon played a cute angled pass to release Timo Werner, who failed to convert a one-on-one against Andre Onana for the second time in the same match.

Had skipper Son Heung-min not been ruled out with a hamstring injury, it might have been far worse for United.

Then a strange thing happened. United’s supporters and players woke up and joined in.

There was a decent penalty shout for handball against Romero, Lisandro Martinez squirmed a shot just wide, Casemiro fired across the face of goal and the Stretford End was rising.

In response, Postecoglou made a triple substitution and two of the new arrivals combined to tee up Solanke for the third goal - Lucas Bergvall’s corner was nodded on by Pape Matar Sarr for the former Bournemouth striker to poke over the line.

There were four United defenders in statue mode and Old Trafford swiftly began to empty, a minority showing greater tactical acumen than Ten Hag by staying put to avoid the traffic.

GARY NEVILLE raged at Manchester United and claimed he "could not believe" what he was watching during a dismal first 45 minutes in their 3-0 loss against Tottenham.

Micky van de Ven, 23, robbed Marcus Rashford of the ball inside the Tottenham half and drove at the Man Utd defence in the third minute of the game.

He weaved his way past four Red Devils players before producing a brilliant low cross for Johnson to tap home into an open goal.

Legendary Man Utd defender Neville labelled his former side's defenders "helpless" when analysing the move on commentary.

He also said: "Absolutely brilliant from Van de Ven.

"He drives through four Manchester United players. It's amazing. Brilliant."

Less than 10 minutes later, Neville labelled Man Utd's start to the game as "hopeless".

He also added: "Dominance [for Spurs so far]. There's a long way to go, but this game can't go like this.

"Erik ten Hag, coming into October, November, this is where he's really going to be judged.

"He's had five transfer windows, these are his players out on the pitch. This is his team. We've got to start seeing some real progression."

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And before half-time, which came moments after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a straight red card, he furiously said: "I can't believe what I'm watching, it's awful."

And it only got worse for United - and Neville - early into the second half, when Dejan Kulusevski made it 2-0, stretching to poke the ball past Andre Onana.

Dominic Solanke then made it 3-0 late on to add insult to injury for the home fans.

Meanwhile, those on social media were left utterly baffled at how easily Van de Ven waltzed through the Red Devils' defence for the opening goal.

One said: "Three minutes in, and Ten Hag's defence revealed its strategy: 'Build the suspense, then let them score'!"

While another added: "These days anybody can score against Manchester United!!!"

A third replied: "So similar to the goal Twente scored too. No one willing to make a challenge, even if it’s a tactical foul. Every other team does it."

And a fourth responded: "Surely Ten Hag's time is coming to an end, he is completely clueless."

MANCHESTER UNITED arrived for their clash with Tottenham in style and honouring a club legend.

The Red Devils were in all-blue as they wore their new Adidas tracksuit in memory of club icon George Best.

The squad arrived at Old Trafford wearing the all-blue tracksuit which draws inspiration from the club's 1967-68 European Cup winning season.

Utd beat Benfica 4-1 in the final, with Best scoring in extra time at Wembley.

The Belfast-born superstar played over 350 times for the Red Devils and was voted in Fifa's Team of the Century.

Fans are hoping that the current crop can take inspiration from Best and his team-mates and are convinced that the snazzy pre-match outfits are a good omen before their Spurs clash this afternoon.

On social media, one wrote: "That looks good! We deserve to win by a landslide."

While another added: "Looking sharp, Reds! Let's bring home the win."

A third wishfully commented: "They look sharp! Let's hope they play just as sharp".

And a fourth gushed: "What an entry!"

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United launched a campaign for the new tracksuit and a whole range of different apparel earlier this week.

The George Best Collection features a shirt, jogging bottoms and a zip-up top, all decked out in an iconic Man Utd dark blue.

Current United stars Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Ethan Wheatley all modelled in the campaign alongside club legends like Andy Cole and Bryan Robson.

While the whole collection was photographed by Hollywood movie star Gary Oldman.

United face a challenge against Spurs with both sides having tumultuous starts to the season and sitting on just seven points.

Rashford looking to rediscover form

It has been the one frustrating factor for Man Utd fans in recent seasons, the disappearance of Marcus Rashford.

He has shown his potential for many seasons in a Man Utd shirt but has gone missing for the last few seasons.

Many players thrive on confidence and Red Devils' fans hope that one good performance can spark the attacker back into form.

Spurs looking to avoid unwanted record

Tottenham have only failed to win any of their three opening Premier League matches once before in the 2019/20 campaign.

If they fail to win today, they will equal that record.

Spurs can win consecutive top-flight games for the first time since March at Old Trafford today.

Side needs some leadership

Mentality seems to be a big problem for Erik ten Hag's side.

Often heads drop and there seems to be a lack of effort on the pitch for periods of the game.

Many have questioned whether Bruno Fernandes was the right man to be made captain, now is the time for him to prove his doubters wrong and offer some leadership out on the pitch.

Chances win matches

Man Utd's big problem this season has been scoring goals.

In most of their games this campaign, they have created plenty of chances.

The big issue is that they have not taken then and been duly punished by their opponents in the process.

Erik ten Hag will be hoping they can address that this afternoon against Ange Postecoglou's side.

Two years of soul searching

Erik ten Hag has now had two full seasons as manager of Man Utd.

Despite this, it is hard to see his visions or tactics within this team most weeks.

Having spent the best part of £500m on signings during his tenure, nothing seems to be changing or improving.

While the boss will always take the heat for poor performances, fingers need to be pointed at the players.

There are a lot of big names at Old Trafford, on massive wages, who are just not stepping up to the plate all too often.

Another day, more threat of the axe

Ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, there seem to be constant questions marks over the future of Erik ten Hag.

Many feel he got a stay of execution last season off the back of an FA Cup final win over Man City.

Sitting eleventh in the table, one place below today’s visitors, Man Utd know things have to improve quickly if they are to have any hope of challenging for Europe.

Welcome to Man Utd vs Tottenham

The Red Devils welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford with both sides desperate for victory and the three points that would see them move into the top half of the Premier League table.

Erik ten Hag expects to have an identical squad available as the one that took on FC Twente in midweek with Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw all out injured.

The Dutchman is expected to bring Kobbie Mainoo back into the side, meaning that Manuel Ugarte could make way as he awaits his full Premier League debut.

Alejandro Garnacho is also expected to force his way into the starting line-up, all that remains to be seen is whether he replaces Marcus Rashford or Amad Diallo in the process.

Ange Postecoglou will be hoping that Son Heung-min is fit for today’s game as there were concerns over an injury he picked up in their win over Qarabag in midweek.

Son has created the most chances from open play in the Premier League this season and will be integral to any chances Spurs have of getting a rare win at Old Trafford.

Dargusin’s red card only applies to European games so the only expected absentees for the trip are likely to be Wilson Odobert and Richarlison.

Live Blog

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Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham LIVE RESULT: Spurs THRASH 10-man United as pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag after horror show

Solanke puts game to bed

Spurs double their lead after the break

Bruno Fernandes sees red

Johnson opens scoring at Old Trafford

TOTTENHAM have thrashed Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Spurs' first came through Brennan Johnson's close-range tap-in following a superb run from centre-back Micky van de Ven.

Just before half-time, the Red Devils went down to ten after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a dangerous challenge on James Maddison.

Tottenham started the second half with a bang as Dejan Kulusevski doubled Spurs' lead as things went from bad to worse for Erik ten Hag.

On 77 minutes, Dominic Solanke bagged the third for Ange Postecoglou's men to cap off a horrific afternoon for the Red Devils.

Match result: Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Man Utd team: Onana, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Fernandes, Garnacho, Zirkzee, Rashford

Tottenham team: Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Werner

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Follow our live blog below...

FT: Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

It is a second consecutive three-nil defeat for Man Utd at home.

As the stats show, they were completely played off the park today.

Tottenham looked better than their opponents all over the pitch.

FT: Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

The referee brings the game to a close.

What Man Utd fans have stayed until the end boo to let their feelings known.

Tottenham's players celebrate their victory.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

At a ground where they have won so rarely, they have been deserved winners this afternoon.

They should have scored a lot more but will not be concerned by that now.

Moore tries a curling shot from the edge of the box which misses the far post by a couple of feet.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Tottenham will go eighth in the table with this win.

Erik ten Hag may have to start looking over his shoulder this week.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Solanke is put clean through on goal but his first touch takes him slightly wide and Onana saves his effort with an outstretched leg.

The ball balloons into the air but Sarr heads it wide with no keeper in the goal.

Terrible miss.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Eriksen swings it in but Solanke heads clear.

The Danish midfielder sends another cross in but it is too deep and not troubling the visitors at all.

We are going to have six added minutes.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Postecoglou will be keen to see his side get a clean sheet now.

They have dominated this game from start to finish.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

They have five players against four Man Utd defenders.

Bergvall tries a shot from some twenty-five yards out and sends it high into the stands.

Poor choice, they could have added a fourth there with the right pass.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

As a result, he is forced to come off.

Ten Hag brings on Amad Diallo for the former Chelsea man.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Dragusin seemed to win the ball but there was definitely a clash of heads.

A load of added time is the last thing any of these Man Utd fans want in this game.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

With the game won, the manager now has the chance to rest some of his big players.

It has been another depressing day for Red Devils' fans.

Man Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Solanke slides in to score and silence Old Trafford.

Old Trafford is emptying out like there is a fire drill.

Goal - Dominic Solanke (Tottenham)

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Maddison meets it at the near post but his shot is blocked.

As the ball is cleared, Tottenham recycle it and win another corner.

Some changes from the visitors, Johnson replaced by Moore and Werner comes off for Bergvall.

Maddison also comes off for Sarr.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Garnacho goes down out wide and Porro is booked for the challenge.

Another chance for the hosts to get some players into the box.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

He pokes at the ball and it is easily blocked.

Tottenham counter but Werner's pass into the box is woeful and behind all of the Spurs' players.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Postecoglou's side seem to have taken their foot off the gas a little rather than going for the kill in this game.

If the hosts were to get a goal now, it would make for a nervy end to this match.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

There are some hopeful claims for a penalty but it was never a foul.

Erik ten Hag looks ready to bring Hojlund on.

Casemiro fires a shot off from the near post but it fizzes across the goal, narrowly missing the far post.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

That is five Man Utd players booked in addition to Bruno Fernandes having been sent off.

With so long left in the game, you expecting to see plenty more goals in this game.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Mount has the chance to put a ball into the box with a free kick in the middle of the park some 30 yards out.

He lifts it towards the back post but Vicario comes to collect.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

They are throwing players forward, trying to find a goal.

This could play into Tottenham's hands as they could really hurt them on the counter-attack.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

As the cross comes in, Martinez's header is blocked by Kulusevski.

The players demand a penalty but, as the replay shows, it didn't even strike the Spurs' player arm.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Man Utd are committing fouls left, right and centre.

Maddison is fouled this time by Casemiro.

Man Utd 0-2 Tottenham

Do not be surprised to see another red card in this game.

Werner has another chance to score but Onana saves and then blocks the follow up from Solanke.

RADU DRAGUSIN was sent off after just SEVEN minutes in Tottenham's Europa League opener against Qarabag.

The Romanian was brought into central defence to play alongside Micky van de Ven at the heart of defence.

However, just seven minutes into Spurs' Europa League, Dragusin was sent for an early shower.

It came as he was caught sleeping on the ball by live-wire forward Juninho.

After poking the ball away from Dragusin, Juninho managed to get his body across Dragusin before tumbling to the floor after a trip and the pulling of his shirt.

The foul left French official Willy Delajod with no choice but to send him off for a last-man foul.

It made Dragusin the first player ever to be sent off on their Europa League debut for Tottenham.

Youngster Lucas Bergvall was sacrificed in favour of Destiny Udogie by manager Ange Postecoglou as part of a tactical switch in putting Ben Davies to centre-back to ensure Spurs kept a steady defence.

But a moment later, the North London side showed their fangs by pouncing on some sloppy play by Qarabag.

Dominic Solanke stole the ball high up the pitch before slipping in Brennan Johnson to his right, who then side-footed a shot into the far left bottom corner to make it 1-0 to the home side.

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It represented Johnson's third goal in as many games.

The match had been delayed by 35 minutes after Qarabag were caught in traffic on their way to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

TNT SPORTS pundits revealed they abandoned their car and legged it down the road to make Tottenham's delayed Europa League tie.

Peter Crouch gave viewers a "run" down of how he and fellow ex-Spurs star Glenn Hoddle beat the travel chaos that faced opponents Qarabag and fans.

The kick-off was put back from 8pm to to 8.35pm due to severe rail AND road problems.

And the Azerbaijan side's squad only arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium close to the original planned start time.

As TNT Sports showed the visiting players walking around the pitch, Crouchie told of his own drama in getting there.

Looking at the surprisingly-relaxed Qarabag squad, the former England striker said: "Hopefully they ran down the High Road like me and Glenn!"

TNT's presenter chipped in: "You had to abandon the car, didn't you?"

A laughing Crouch replied: "Ah, we did. We gave up with the car."

Former Three Lions' midfielder Hoddle joked: "Peter ran and I limped."

An incredible whammy caused the travel nightmare.

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London Overground train services from Cheshunt and Enfield Town to White Hart Lane were suspended - a huge headache in itself.

But then add in the closure in both directions of the A10 - a major route in to the area - and it's no wonder supporters were left in a frenzy.

It comes as Spurs prepare to launch their campaign in the newly-expanded, 36-team competition.

Each team initially plays eight different sides to see who qualifies for the latter stages.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou reckons the format will at least increase excitement.

He said: "In the group stage, after about the second or third game, you kind of knew who were going through so there were maybe some dead-rubbers, but all games will be meaningful because all teams will have something to play for.

"It's not that standard home and away, you will play eight different teams, eight different styles of football, so it's an interesting challenge.

"I guess at the end we'll see if it's had the effect everyone wanted it to have by being more exciting all the way through rather than the knock-out phase, but the most important thing is we're in it and because we're in it, we've got a chance."

Qarabag's players looked remarkably relaxed - some smiling - as they strolled to the dressing rooms.

But with the traffic difficulties known well before kick-off, they had probably resigned themselves to a late start from well before 8pm.

TOTTENHAM’S Europa League opener against Qarabag was severely delayed due to travel chaos.

The Azerbaijani side were staying in Stratford but did not turn up to Spurs’ stadium until 7.45pm due to serious traffic.

That was only 15 minutes before the planned kick-off - which was then pushed back to 8.35pm.

Qarabag’s coach ended up having a police escort for the last mile of their 12-mile journey.

While their late arrival could land them in hot water with Uefa, whose regulations state that both teams must be at the stadium at least 75 minutes before kick-off, as per article 54.01.

But because this is their first offence this season, the club and their coach Gurban Gurbanov will likely only get a warning from European football’s governing body.

Travel to Spurs was a nightmare due to a multitude of reasons.

Part of the A10, the major road in the area, was closed, while for supporters coming from the south there were major delays on the M25.

A person hit by train at Tottenham Hale train station meant many Greater Anglia trains were cancelled between there and Broxbourne.

And there were severely limited trains coming in from the Hertfordshire direction.

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Gurbanov’s reigning Azerbaijani champions were not the only ones to get caught out by the issues.

TNT Sports pundits Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle abandoned their car and legged it down the street to make it in time for the start of their coverage.

Ex-Spurs striker Crouch, 43, said: “Hopefully (the Qarabag team) ran down the High Road like me and Glenn! We gave up wit the car.”

Tottenham legend Hoddle, 66, added: “Peter and I limped.”

Qarabag are not the first to be caught out by the congested roads in N17.

Spurs’ last European fixture - the last-16 Champions League tie against AC Milan in March 2022 - kicked off ten minutes later than planned due to both sides being held up in traffic.

It made Spurs’ fans wait an extra 35 minutes for their first European game in 18 months, who named a strong line-up.

Captain Son Heung-min, Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson all started up top, the latter two having netted in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Brentford.

There were still six changes though, which saw 18-year-old pair Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall make their first European starts of their respective careers.

Boss Ange Postecoglou, managing his first Spurs game in Europe, said: "It is going to be a great experience for our young players. It is different to domestic competition and they will learn a lot.

"Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have shown great energy. They want to make a career for themselves and my responsibility is to give them opportunity.

"For a club like us, all these competitions are important. We have not had success for a very long time.

“For a club our size, not winning becomes a millstone around your neck and you have to win something to release that.”

HARRY REDKNAPP has been told "Football needs you back" - at 77.

The former Tottenham, Portsmouth and West Ham chief was sacked from his last job, as Birmingham boss, in October 2017.

But ex-Spurs and Pompey midfielder Pedro Mendes believes Redknapp offers "something different" from other managers.

The former Southampton and QPR boss, who never got the England job he craved, has found fame away from the sport in the past seven years.

Redknapp won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here - sparking a string of TV appearances.

But Mendes reckons the 2018 King of the Jungle deserves to come out of the wilderness and reign at another top club.

The former Portugal star told Gambling.com: "I think there should always be a place for a guy like Harry Redknapp in the game.

"Everything around Harry is different. The way he trains, the way he speaks, the way his relationship is with the players.

"Harry has been out of the game for a while now, and I think he should be back.

"The game needs him, you know. He just brings something different."

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Redknapp mainly played for West Ham and Bournemouth in his 17-year career on the pitch.

He then launched 34 years in management with long spells at both those teams.

Redknapp bossed the Cherries from 1983-1992, winning the Associate Members Cup.

He then took charge of the Hammers until 2001, guiding them to Intertoto Cup success in 1991.

But his main claim to silverware was at his next job.

He took Portsmouth into the top flight as second-tier champions in 2003 and FA Cup glory followed five years later.

That aside, Redknapp's peak managerial achievement was notching successive finishes of fourth, fifth and fourth at Spurs from 2008-2012.

Mendes said: "When Harry’s not upset, and he's not looking for the players to run kilometres and build stamina, he just loves when a player does a trick and scores a fantastic goal, or does something different."

The 45-year-old singled out ex-Portsmouth playmakers Niko Kranjcar and Andres) D'Alessandro as stylists who Redknapp got the best out of.

Now Mendes reckons it's time his old gaffer got a chance to help a new generation of exciting players reach their Pomp.