Portsmouth beat off competition from six other Barclays Premier League clubs to sign the highly-rated full-back on a season-long loan from Arsenal.

And with Niko Kranjcar picking up an ankle injury on international duty with Croatia this week, there is an early opportunity for Traore to make his mark.

"Niko's injury is not a fracture but it is nasty and he will be out for a while so Traore is an option. I am delighted to have got him.

"I first saw him play at 16 and I have watched him a dozen times since then. He is a fantastic young talent and unlucky to have been kept out of the Arsenal team by an outstanding player in Gael Clichy.

"I tried to loan him last season but Arsene Wenger did not want to let him out. I kept pushing and as soon as Arsene decided to loan him there were six clubs in for him.

"Some big clubs wanted him so I am well pleased to have got him. He is a big talent and a future French international who can play several positions."

Traore's arrival means Pompey now have their full quota of loan players from English clubs. However they can still bring in others from overseas and Redknapp is hoping to do so.

He added: "I have a great squad here so I am not looking to buy anyone else at the moment. It is not a question of money because I have been given plenty to spend.

"But with Europe this season we need big squad and we could do with maybe a one or two overseas loan and that is what I am looking for."

Portsmouth will be looking to bounce back after losing their opening match 4-0 at Chelsea but Redknapp feels there is no need to panic.

His side have a good record at home to Sir Alex Ferguson's men and Redknapp is looking for a positive response from his team.

"That defeat hurt everyone but we will not be the only team to get bashed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge that's for sure," he said.

"Anyone who does not (get beaten) will have done well. It has been a difficult week because we have had so many players away on international duty but we have now had a chance to talk about the game and study it.

"Now we have to put it behind us and look ahead to the United game. The only way to beat them is by hard work.

"We have got to match them for work-rate and that is why we got beaten at Chelsea. We did not match them. They out-worked us all over the park. The stats show that."

Redknapp dismissed suggestions that this might be a good time to play United while they are without the injured Ronaldo and with Wayne Rooney still recovering from a virus.

He added: "Wayne Rooney played last week and again for England so he is getting more games and he is a great player. He absolutely slaughtered us in the league last year.

"Any team would miss Ronaldo. Some people called him a show pony when he first came here but I never doubted him. He can run, dribble, shoot, head the ball - he can do everything.

"That is not quite being a show pony! He is a fantastic player and of course we would rather play United without him.

"But they have so many fantastic players, they could field two teams in the Premier League and both would finish in the top half.

"But we are a good team and we take some beating under lights at Fratton Park. If we are at our best we will give them a tough game."