Spurs will have a chance to prove their manager's claim that they are title contenders when they take on United, who top the table and have an eight-point lead over the north London side with a match in hand.
Beckham's arrival for a month-long training spell with the club, which started on Monday, appears to have taken precedence ahead of this weekend's game at White Hart Lane. A throng of camera crews and photographers have stationed outside the club's training ground in Chigwell, Essex, hoping to catch a glimpse of the LA Galaxy midfielder.
But the Tottenham manager believes the club will benefit from his presence. "David has brought a buzz around the place," Redknapp said.
"There are lots more press here today than normal. There are people outside the ground every day. Once we come in here we train and get on with it. It doesn't affect us. It has been good having him here. Everyone respects him, likes him.
"There's nothing flashy about him, in my opinion. He just comes in and just gets on with it. He's a great role model for any footballer."
LA Galaxy have refused to talk about any loan arrangement for the midfielder and want Beckham back for pre-season training in mid February.
Redknapp said he has not been informed of any progress in the talks between the clubs and hinted that any deal for the star may not be worth it unless they allow Beckham to stay until the start of March – two weeks before the Galaxy's season opener against the Seattle Sounders.
"I don't know what the situation is with permission for him to play," Redknapp said.
"It's only two months and before you know it, a month will have gone and then it would be only a couple of weeks so it's a difficult one really."
Redknapp believes that a win for Tottenham would throw open the title race. "At the moment Man United are in fantastic shape. They are top of the league and really have a good lead on everybody so I think everyone at the top will be hoping that we can pull off the result, close the gap and keep everyone involved."
Redknapp has no new injury concerns and is likely to unleash Gareth Bale down the left after he recovered from a back strain. Tottenham lost 2-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season – partly thanks to Nani's controversial goal – and United have not lost to their north London rivals in the past 23 meetings.
Redknapp maintains, however, that his team can beat Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who are likely to have Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic back from injury.
"We have good players and are a better team that played them last year so we have every chance. We are at home, we are a good team with good players and we will give them a good game."
