HARRY Redknapp predicted Cherries would find it “easier” in their second season in the Premier League in spite of their tricky finish.

Eddie Howe’s men bring down the curtain on a memorable maiden campaign in England’s top flight when they travel to Manchester United on Sunday (3pm).

Cherries guaranteed retaining their status with two matches to play but realistically, the job was done halfway through March on the back of consecutive wins against Southampton, Newcastle and Swansea.

And while a testing end-of-season run against many of the big guns has yielded just four points from seven outings, Redknapp reckons the Vitality Stadium outfit will stride forward again under the stewardship of Howe and owner Maxim Demin.

Redknapp told the Daily Echo: “The whole season has been amazing. The football they have played has not looked at all out of place in the Premier League.

“To me, they look a team that has a future at the top level for many years to come as long as Eddie and owner stay. They are the two most important ingredients for the club.”

Asked for his take on next season, Redknapp continued: “I think it will be easier for them. You have to feel very hopeful they won’t lose the likes of Callum Wilson, Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings to injury in the way they did this time.

“Joshua King is now a much-improved player, Eddie has got the best out of him, and they are full of good strikers.

“They have had a bit of a dodgy run towards the end of the season but at one time, I thought they would have finished 11th or 12th. They probably would have without the injuries so I can only see them getting stronger with Eddie and Maxim at the club.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp also backed the club’s lower-league gems to continue to flourish.

Cherries started and finished the campaign with the same back four that served Howe so well in League One with their service together only interrupted by captain Tommy Elphick’s injury and the emergence of Adam Smith.

Simon Francis has started every league match so far, Charlie Daniels has kicked off all but one and Steve Cook all but two.

“I am sure they will strengthen but I don’t see them needing too much because all of the lads have stepped up,” said Redknapp.

“Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels have been two of the best full-backs in the Premier League in my opinion. When Francis went to centre-half, Adam Smith stepped in and then look at Steve Cook who has been around the lower divisions all his life.

“Even though he got injured, you could say the same for Tommy Elphick and then you have lads like Harry Arter as well.

“Every one of them has had a great season and it is fantastic to see what they have achieved. They can kick on again, without a doubt, this season proves that.”