ENGLISH FA CUP:Three ex-players recall how Harry Redknapp inspired wins over today's opponents, Manchester United

IAN THOMPSON

One of the scorers in Bournemouth's 2-0 FA Cup third-round win at Dean Court in January, 1984.

Harry was a young manager at Bournemouth. He had only been in the job for three months when we played Manchester United but was ambitious and saw this match as a chance to prove himself against the very best. United were the FA Cup holders while we were journeymen playing in the Third Division, but Harry was planning for victory.

We stayed in a hotel the night before the tie, which was unusual for a home game. Harry did this so he could spend as much time as possible with the squad. He spoke to us throughout the evening, repeatedly saying that if we played our usual attacking game and gave an extra 10 per cent when closing United down, we could win. It was a simple but effective message and I for one genuinely believed we could cause an upset. It was an amazing feeling.

We started the match well, attacking when we had the chance and not allowing United time on the ball. It was 0-0 at half-time but we were on top. Everyone was really animated in the dressingroom but Harry calmed us down and told us to keep going.

The second half was similar to the first and it was no surprise when Milton Graham gave us the lead on the hour. I got the second four minutes later and we knew then that the game was won.

Harry was a great manager to work for and he had an excellent tactical grasp of the game. I felt then he could go on to become a top-flight manager. My only concern was he took criticism very personally and I thought that would hinder him at a higher level where the scrutiny and focus on managers is greater. But Harry appears to have matured and even during his recent troubles has remained composed.

NIGEL WINTERBURN

Played in West Ham's 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory at Old Trafford in January 2001.

We had lost 3-1 at Old Trafford in a league match a few weeks earlier so nobody gave us a chance of winning there in the cup, but we believed we could cause an upset. That came from our preparation for the game; it was no different to how we prepared for any other game. Harry told us not to treat the match like a special occasion, he kept reminding us that like Manchester United, we were a Premier League side. That gave us great confidence.

He didn't say much on the day of the match and let Frank Lampard senior, his assistant at the time, do most of the talking. I remember looking at Harry in the dressingroom and thinking how calm he seemed, that made me feel calm too. When Harry did speak, he reminded us that it was vital we did not concede early and told us to attack when we had the chance to do so. He wasn't looking for a draw, he wanted a win.

It was 0-0 at half-time and we were doing okay. We remained strong defensively in the second half and thankfully Paolo (Di Canio) took his chance when it came. United increased the pressure after that but we kept our shape and saw the game out.

Harry has to take a lot of credit for that win, he made the team believe they could beat the champions at their own ground.

Harry gave me a fresh challenge. I had been at Arsenal for a long time but felt reinvigorated going to West Ham. Before I signed, I told Harry that at my age, I couldn't train as intensely as I once had and he understood that and allowed me to take time off when I needed it. That is one of Harry's best attributes as a manager; he engages with players on an individual basis and makes them feel part of the squad, regardless of their status.

DEJAN STEFANOVIC

Featured in both Portsmouth's home Premier League victories in April 2004 and April 2007.

There was extra excitement going into the games against Manchester United, especially the first one as they were the champions and we were in our first season in the Premier League. Harry could see that and so said very little in training prior to the games. He knew there was no need to motivate us.

If anything, Harry had to calm us down and did that by reminding us United were just another league opponent and we were going to play in our usual way. That meant sticking to a 4-4-2 formation and attacking from the start. This was brilliant - so many managers play defensively against United and this is the main reason they end up losing; if you allow them to control the match they will destroy you. But on both occasions, we were going for the win and because our manager believed we could win, so did we.

We started well in both matches and were leading at half-time (Steve Stone scored in 2004, Matt Taylor scored in 2007). In the dressingroom Harry's instructions were the same, he told us to "keep pushing". He could see we were on top and did not want us to lose the initiative. Some managers might have told their players to sit back and hold on, but not Harry.

In both games, United were going for the title so they put pressure on us in the second half. It was important we kept our shape and defended well as a team.

We did this both times; we worked hard organising ourselves as a team when we didn't have the ball. This is a great thing about Harry; he combines attacking play with being strong defensively. He does not get the amount of credit for this that he deserves.

We saw through the first match against United but there was a scare in the second when John O'Shea got a late goal. We were already 2-0 up at that stage through Rio Ferdinand's own-goal, and we held on for the three points.

To beat United twice in three years was amazing. We achieved that because our manager gave us great confidence.

Harry is such a positive thinker and that's why so many like working for him.

Ferguson plays down talk of retirement

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson is refusing to put a timescale on when he will step down as manager.

Ferguson indicated in an interview with French radio that he would bow out in three years.

However, he played down the situation in his media briefing before the FA Cup match against Portsmouth today at Old Trafford.

He said: "It is something I have said quite a bit. If your health is good and you are enjoying your job, it could be two or three years.

"I am not going to pigeon-hole myself on that one. It could be four years, it could be tomorrow. It is impossible to put a time limit on something like this."

Britain's most decorated boss will have spent 25 years at the helm at Old Trafford, should he retire in 2011. Ferguson has won 18 trophies after arriving at the club in November 1986 from Aberdeen - and remains anxious for more.

United are still in line for the treble for the first time since 1999 and are odds-on to defeat Portsmouth.

They are also aiming to retain their league title and have already booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this week after beating Lyon.

Ferguson had initially planned to retire in 2005, only to change his mind.

That decision was vindicated as he rebuilt his side, going on to claim last season's Premier League crown.

"I'm getting beyond the future now, " Ferguson told the French radio station. "I still have a lot of passion. I'm still happy. But I'm 66 now - maybe three years more, then I'll finish."