As a former Tottenham player, Carrick pays special attention to the goings-on at White Hart Lane, even if there will be no room for sentiment tomorrow when Manchester United head south to defend their unbeaten Premier League record.

And, by not only qualifying for the Champions League, but emerging top in a group containing holders Inter Milan to reach the last 16, Redknapp has made another significant entry on his CV in addition to the FA Cup he won with Portsmouth in 2008.

Given the Football Association are committed to choosing an English candidate when Capello leaves after Euro 2012, Redknapp has to be a front-runner.

It is not an assertion Carrick is going to disagree with.

"He's certainly getting a good few mentions," said the midfielder.

"I'm sure he's focused on bringing success to Spurs. It's a great job for him at the moment.

"We will see what is in the future but he is doing a good job and is certainly not doing himself any harm if that is what he wants to do."

Redknapp's record also proves he is capable of handling pressure.

Carrick spent two years at Tottenham, and was part of the side that came agonisingly close to reaching the Champions League in 2006.

So he knows exactly how desperate the club's supporters are for a return to the 1960s glory era under Bill Nicholson.

"Even when I was there, you used to get compared to teams of the past," he said.

"It was not a problem. It is a major part of the club.

"At the time, they had a few funny years, so for us to go into the last game with a chance of getting into the top four was a big achievement. That was seen as success.

"But the longer you go, the measurement of success changes.

"For them to get into the Champions League and do what they have done this season, will mean the expectation level rises again.

"They have got the squad and have adapted well to the demands of playing in the Champions League and coming back to play league games.

"Now it is up to them to be consistent over the course of a season, which is what you need if you are going to be successful."

Consistency is not something United have had a problem with this season.

Over halfway through the campaign, they remain unbeaten and will assume strong favouritism to reclaim their Premier League title if they avoid defeat tomorrow.

The returns of Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar ensure Sir Alex Ferguson will be selecting from strength for a fixture United traditionally do well in.

It is a decade since they last lost as Tottenham, and even then they had already secured their first championship hat-trick.

Even Ferguson admits they have not faced a Spurs team quite like this one though, a view which Carrick endorses.

"You would have to say it is the best Spurs team we've seen for a while. They have certainly improved on years gone by and become a big threat this season," he said.

"Tottenham have some major threats, particularly in wide areas with Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon. Luka Modric has been in good form, as has Rafael van der Vaart, who has weighed in with a good few goals as well so I expect them to pose us a few problems.

"I am not exactly sure what Harry has done to turn things around.

"Just knowing how to get the best out of his players is a major factor.

"When you are a manager, you need a feeling for what is required at each different stage and how to treat certain players.

"You can see they're playing with confidence and they'll be looking forward to this as much as us."