‘You’re in there naked’ – Redknapp claims mistake was made over Antonio Conte

Jamie Redknapp has questioned why Manchester United did not appoint Antonio Conte, insisting the Italian is exactly the type of manager the Red Devils needed.

Conte was heavily linked with the United job back in October as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was coming under increasing pressure.

However, in a twist of fate, it was United who ensured that Spurs moved quickly to replace Nuno Espirito Santo with the Italian after they thrashed the North Londoners three-nil at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Solskjaer was eventually sacked by the club in November and replaced by Ralf Rangnick but in contrast to the start Conte has had at Spurs, the German has struggled to get a tune out of the United team so far.

After United fell to a 1-0 loss to Wolves at Old Trafford on Monday, Redknapp did not hold back in his criticism of the club and Rangnick, insisting the German is not building for the long-term.

The former Spurs midfielder told Sky Sports Main Event (04/01/22 at 19:30 onwards): “Why they (Man Utd) didn’t get Antonio Conte when they could have done. They need someone like him.

“If you’re only there until the end of the season, you’re in there naked. The way he’s going now he won’t get another two years.

“If he wants to be there long-term he’s got a lot of decisions to make. There are a lot of players that he’s trying to shoehorn into the team.

“The ball should have got man of the match for Man United today because it had to do an incredible job to stay out there because everyone was given it away. When you look at it right now, they’re miles off it.”

Spurs Web Opinion

In the years to come, Spurs and Man Utd fans might look back on United’s win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September as a big turning point for both clubs. If the result had gone the other way, United might well have panicked and brought in Conte to replace Ole.

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