United captain Neville raced towards City fans when Michael Owen grabbed a last-gasp winner at Old Trafford and while some have seen the incident as inflammatory, Redknapp admired the passion of the veteran.

"You look at Gary Neville, a man who has won everything there is to win - championship after championship after championship," Redknapp said. "The excitement he showed at his team winning and he was only a sub.

"He wasn't sitting on the bench with his arms folded. He was jumping higher than Fergie (Sir Alex Ferguson) when they scored and that's why they are where they are. That is why they succeed.

"I thought it was amazing to see Neville's feelings show and the joy he had winning. Can you imagine the dressing room afterwards, even the subs and those who weren't all come in - brilliant lads!"

Redknapp sees a winning mentality drilled into players at United, something his coaches Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand experienced at first hand when the Barclays Premier League champions beat Spurs earlier in the season.

"Tim and Les were sat in the stands with the United boys who weren't subs," Redknapp said. "They were jumping up and down at every decision and every time they scored. That winning mentality goes right through them."

Redknapp had the same spirit at Portsmouth when they were promoted from the Championship and he feels Spurs are on the right track, even if the manager has questioned it at times.

The Carling Cup trip to Preston could be a test of who genuinely cares.

"I remember losing at Bolton last season, getting beaten and looking at the bench," Redknapp said. "I think two of them were asleep with hats pulled down and blankets over them.

"I said, 'I'm sorry to drag you up here, I know it's cold and you could be home with the missus with a cup of tea. It's hard for 30 grand a week to watch a game'."

One player who lost his way last season was Mexico international Giovani dos Santos, who was pictured worse for wear at the club's Christmas party and was late for training on some days.

Redknapp met with Giovani's parents - his father is former Brazilian Gerardo dos Santos, known as Zizinho - and has seen an improvement in the 20-year-old, who will start against Preston.

"He has had a great season with Mexico so this is a big test for him," Redknapp said. "The penny has dropped, about applying himself and adapting himself.

"His dad was a top player, I've spoken to his mum and dad, they came to see me. He's a smashing kid but found it hard to get into training on time.

"He's realised he can't do that here, he's toed the line and got fitter and that's the key. He let himself down last year, he wasn't in good shape, he didn't look after himself.

"Now he's fitter, leaner and has great ability. He's only a kid and if he develops into what he can be, he can be a top player."

David Bentley will also be given a chance at Deepdale after falling behind Aaron Lennon in the pecking order.

"It's not easy for him I suppose, he doesn't see a lot of light at the end of the tunnel, he sees Lennon playing well," Redknapp said.

"All he can do is perform when he's in the team, work hard and show a good attitude and then his chance will come."