Neither Townsend, nor former Tottenham favourite Sheringham, were impressed by Spurs' efforts in the 2-1 FA Cup defeat at Manchester United, feeling they did not try, especially once the hosts had gone in front just before half-time.

Following on from Redknapp's scathing criticism of his team in recent times, it seemed like fair comment.

But Redknapp felt there was no need to attack his side's efforts this evening and does not believe his TV critics were correct.

"That criticism is unfair," said Redknapp.

"I don't know what game they can have been watching. How can they say we didn't try?

"I think people are jumping on a bandwagon. This is a tough place to come and it is not like we have been beaten 6-1. We have lost 2-1.

"Everyone wants to jump on Tottenham at the moment. I was happy with the effort today."

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Redknapp will assess his options ahead of Tuesday's encounter with Stoke, while United boss Sir Alex Ferguson must also wrestle with a growing injury list after adding teenage duo Fabio and Danny Welbeck to the men who are going to miss the midweek trip to West Brom.

They were forced off today with calf and ankle injuries respectively.

"Cristiano has picked up a little bug as well," said Ferguson.

"We had to get the doctor to him this morning and I didn't think he was anywhere near ready but he showed the appetite to play and it is always good to have him on the pitch.

"He will be better by Tuesday.

"We could do without these things but Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher are fresh, so it is just the full-backs that are giving us concern."

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Spurs made a flying start, with Roman Pavlyuchenko putting them ahead after only five minutes.

But it soon became apparent Redknapp's side would be unable to keep United out.

And a brilliant pass by Michael Carrick set up Paul Scholes for the hosts' equaliser before the former Tottenham man delivered the killer ball that Dimitar Berbatov brilliantly controlled before belting home what turned out to be the winner.

It keeps United on target for an unprecedented quadruple.

Tottenham will have a major say in attempting to deny Ferguson's side as they meet in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on March 1.

But Redknapp admits a United clean sweep is on.

"It is possible," he said. "I hope they don't because we would like to win the Carling Cup."

Meanwhile, a clearly unhappy Ferguson stressed reports suggesting he wanted to exploit a little-known Football Association rule to play extra-time tonight to avoid the need for a replay was wrong.

"It is scandalous to say that," he said.

"There was never any possibility of us asking not to have a replay."