CHIGWELL, January 14- Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists Manchester United won't be able to go undefeated throughout the Premier League season.United have yet to lose a league match this season and they can extend that unbeaten run to 21 games when they face Redknapp’s side at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have opened up a two-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to their long run without defeat, yet they have rarely shown the swashbuckling style that brought three successive titles to Old Trafford from 2007 to 2009.
Arsenal were the last team to go unbeaten through a 38-game English top-flight season back in 2004 and Redknapp doesn’t believe United will be able to emulate the incredible achievement of Arsene Wenger’s "Invincibles".
"I couldn’t see them doing that (going unbeaten). It’s not impossible, but I don’t see them doing it," Redknapp said.
"I don’t see that they are on another planet to the other teams. They are favourites to win the league but not to go unbeaten."
Although Redknapp is ready to write off United’s chances of staying unbeaten, he concedes they are the team to beat in the title race.
He knows fourth-placed Tottenham, who are eight points behind United having played a game more, must win on Sunday to have any chance of catching Ferguson’s side.
"They are in fantastic shape, top of league and with a good lead on everybody, but a win will open it up and I’m sure the other teams will hope we can get a result," Redknapp said.
"We have seen some fantastic Man United teams in the past, and even though they haven’t hit the heights this year, they keep winning games and haven’t been beaten.
"Sooner or later they could hit top form and then everyone will be in trouble."
Tottenham have suffered plenty of defeats against United in recent years, with the latest a 2-0 loss at Old Trafford earlier this season which featured a controversial goal from Nani.
Redknapp refuses to dwell on that dismal record because he believes Spurs – boosted by their impressive Champions Leagur form – have improved significantly over the last 12 months.
With players like Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric in fine form, he is confident Spurs can pose United more problems than anyone so far this season.
"I wouldn’t look back and make excuses when we have been beaten in the past, but we are a better team than played United last year," he said.
"Most clubs would have a record against Man United that wouldn’t be that great. How many games do they lose in a season? A couple?"
"We played well at Old Trafford this season in the first half especially.
"We have got every chance. We are at home and we will give them a real game.
"We can give them a few problems with people like Bale, Modric and Van der Vaart in good form."
Redknapp, who ruled out allowing Republic of Ireland forward Robbie Keane to join West Ham on loan, expects to be without Ledley King for the forseeable future after the England defender suffered a serious groin injury in training.
"Ledley had a setback in training, a groin problem," Redknapp said.
"We waited and waited to see if he needed op and he trained ok, then in the last minute of a session he stretched for the ball and has torn it right away from the bone.
"It is going to be long recovery sessions. How long it’s going to be I don’t know."
