Harry backs VDV to hit 20

Van der Vaart: Great season

Harry Redknapp believes Rafael van der Vaart can hit 20 goals for the club in his first season at Tottenham.

The Dutch star has been in fine form for Spurs this term and is regarded as a revelation in North London following his £8million switch from Real Madrid.

So far the 27-year-old has racked up 11 goals and a number of assists, as Tottenham look to make their mark in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Former striker Dimitar Berbatov passed 20 goals in his first campaign at White Hart Lane and boss Redknapp believes Van der Vaart can do the same.

"Van der Vaart has been a great player for us," he said.

"We trained on Tuesday or Wednesday and some of the stuff he did was fantastic.

"Look at the goals he's scored, and he's not even a striker.

"He can make the pass, make goals, link the play up and also has the ability to score goals.

"He got 20 in Germany one season (with Hamburg) and he looks a 20-goal player in the Premier League, which is fantastic for a player who plays where he plays and how he plays."

United task

Spurs take on Manchester United in the league on Sunday in a crunch game at White Hart Lane.

Forward Peter Crouch could play a part against the Red Devils and he is expecting a difficult task up front against opposition centre-halves Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

"I have played against them both a few times and it is probably one of the toughest games of the season," said the 29-year-old.

"(But) we have quality all over the pitch. We won't be too concerned about what lies ahead.

"If we concentrate on our own game, play to the best of our ability then I'm sure we'll get a positive result. We have respect for them but we have lots of ability ourselves.

"We have already beaten the big teams this year so it's just another game and if we go into it with the right frame of mind we'll get the right outcome."

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