EXCLUSIVE Redknapp's guide to summer transfers: United have left everyone standing

Harry Redknapp cast his expert eye over the this summer’s transfer market and immediately named the club that’s left the rest standing.

The Tottenham boss is renowned for his expert eye for a bargain and ability to build a team with shrewd moves into the transfer market. And ­Redknapp ­believes Manchester ­United’s grip on the Premier League crown will tighten following their summer spending spree.

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Redknapp said: “It’s ­frightening when you think United are the defending champions and they go out and spend over £50 million on Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea.

“Jones is a fantastic prospect and it’s no surprise all the top clubs were desperate to sign him from Blackburn.

“Young is a phenomenal player with pace and an eye for goal. I can’t even begin to imagine how much bextter he will be playing in that United side. And in De Gea they have one of the best young goalkeepers in the world.

“It goes to show what you are up against. If you are not prepared to spend big and pay the wages, what chance do you have?”

Although Redknapp believes United’s noisy neighbours at Manchester City will continue to improve, he can’t see beyond Chelsea challenging ­United for the title.

“United and ­Chelsea are going to be the teams to beat, for sure, next ­season,” he said.

“But if I had to take a punt I think United will take some beating after ­strengthening with those three players already.”

United are currently ­attempting to reach an agreement with ­Wesley Sneijder to seal his £40m recruitment from Inter Milan.

The Dutch star would join the elite group of United superstars in the £200,000-a-week bracket.

It puts United in a pay league that many of their rivals simply can’t get near. Indeed, Redknapp fears that as things stand you can’t buy an admission ticket into the top three of United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

He can see his Tottenham team, along with North London rivals Arsenal and big-spending ­Liverpool, fighting for fourth place and qualification to the Champions League.

Redknapp said: “The biggest clubs, and I include Liverpool in this, are paying salaries in excess of £130,000-a-week.

“It’s all well and good having a salary cap in place like Spurs and Arsenal but then it’s no ­surprise when you can’t compete in the market when your rivals can spend so ­heavily.

“Manchester City are only going to get stronger with the financial power at their disposal. It’s only a matter of time before they win their first title.

“You couldn’t buy your way into the top three next season the way things are going.

“I expect United, Chelsea and City to have that sewn up leaving Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs fighting for fourth place.”

Redknapp also claims the standard of the Premier League will be stronger this season.

“You’re facing improvement every season and that isn’t going to change,” he said. “I expect teams like Everton. Sunderland, West Brom, Aston Villa and Fulham to improve while the clubs coming up like Norwich, QPR and Swansea are probably better equipped to stay up than the likes of Blackpool.

“At one point last season half the league was under threat of being pulled into a relegation battle so that gives you an ­indication of how thin the ­dividing line is between success and failure.

“For Tottenham it will be a ­testing campaign. I’ve said before that we probably need at least three players to improve the team.

“Securing fourth place will be harder this season, that’s for sure. But if we can eventually do a few deals and keep the squad together I see no reason why we can’t achieve it.”