Harry Redknapp has conceded that Tottenham Hotspur need to end their losing streak at the famous Premier League grounds if they are to establish themselves among the elite sides in English football.
Spurs have not won an away league fixture at Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool for 17 years and they are not considered likely to end that miserable sequence at Old Trafford tonight.
"I think it is important we start to win matches against the big clubs away from home," the Tottenham manager said. "You have to do that to push up to the next level where we want to be. I think we are getting closer. Obviously at the end of last season we went up to Manchester City and won in a game that earned us the fourth spot.
"Given it looks like City could well make the top four this season then it shows we have the ability and mentality to win such games.
"And maybe this could be the right time for us to take United. I would never underestimate them and I am sure they will still be involved in the title race but they haven't had the best of starts and as great as they are, players like [Paul] Scholes, [Ryan] Giggs and [Gary]Neville can't go on forever.
"If we go up there with the right attitude, the right belief, have a right go at them rather than sit back, then I think we can win and end what has been a long jinx for the club."
Spurs' last victory at one of the strongholds of English football came at Anfield against Liverpool in 1993. Their last win at Old Trafford came in 1989 when Gary Lineker scored the winner.
"I am not taking the blame for all those games. I was still manager of Bournemouth way back then," Redknapp said. "All that historical stuff doesn't matter to the players. But if we are going to make the top four, then we have to show we have the mentality to go and beat some of our rivals in their own backyard.
"Why do I think it is has happened? It's hard to pinpoint but the fact is, when it comes to away games at the big clubs, the atmosphere stirred by the home fans can have a big effect. Old Trafford is very hard. It's a very intense atmosphere."
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