QPR’s Harry Redknapp: I’d be very surprised if Man United didn’t win title

Harry Redknapp admits that it would be a surprise if Manchester United did not win the Premier League title this season.

The 65-year-old is facing the toughest game of his short Queens Park Rangers’s reign as the league leaders make the trip to Loftus Road on Saturday.

The gap between Redknapp’s side, who are bottom of the table, and the 19-time English champions currently stands at a staggering 48 points after 26 games.

And the Hoops manager believes that United’s consistency has been the decisive factor in the title race, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side 12 points clear of Manchester City.

“They’ve kept winning and pulling out results and the other teams have had bad runs,” said Redknapp. “No-one has been consistent behind them this year.

“United are the only team which have played well consistently and picked up results on a regular basis. The rest have fallen by the wayside so United are in a great position.

“I’d be very surprised if they didn’t win the championship this season from where they are.”

On Thursday, Ferguson insisted that United would not be underestimating the Premier League’s basement club despite QPR’s winless run being extended to eight games after a 4-1 defeat at Swansea City last weekend.

And Redknapp does not expect the Red Devils to be distracted by the prospect of their Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford on 5 March.

“I don’t think it [the Real Madrid game] will [distract United],” Redknapp added.

“They’re looking to win the league and in 10 days’ time, they’ll worry about Madrid. If it had been closer than that would be a big difference.”

There was one bit of good news for Redknapp after Ferguson confirmed that Wayne Rooney was ruled out of the QPR clash as he continues to recover from a sinus problem which saw the forward miss United’s 2-1 victory over Reading in the FA Cup on Monday.

But Redknapp says that the Red Devils will not feel the England striker’s absence with Robin van Persie, Javier Hernández and Danny Welbeck all ensuring the visitors will not be lacking in firepower.

“Rooney’s a fantastic player, he’s absolute top class,” he added.

“But they’re full of quality players so whoever Alex picks they’ll be strong. That’s why they’re top of the league and so far clear.”