Jamie Redknapp says Tottenham star is not in same league as teammate Dembele

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Jamie Redknapp says Tottenham missed Mousa Dembele against Manchester United, who was only used as a substitute.

Jamie Redknapp has told The Mail that Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko proved to be a big downgrade on Mousa Dembele against Manchester United.

While such a statement would have seemed like stating the obvious prior to the season, Sissoko has provided reason for encouragement in recent weeks.

He has started regularly for Spurs, including in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Dembele was a substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday, coming on for the final 28 minutes.

Redknapp said: “Spurs were crying out for a presence in midfield — someone who would get on the ball and surge with it. Moussa Sissoko is not in the same league as Dembele in that respect.”

The Dembele who did come on, was not the imposing player who has haunted Manchester United in the past.

The Belgian has struggled with injury all season and has made only three Premier League starts out of a possible 10.

This has helped with Sissoko’s game time, but he has a long way to go in order to achieve the level which Dembele has attained in the past.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino could have a tough decision selecting who to start against Madrid this week. He will hope the minutes played by Dembele at Old Trafford have brought him up to speed.