Young and Jones joined Manchester United while Downing left Aston Villa for Liverpool this summer.
“I tried to sign Young and Jones but when United are in the hunt it’s very difficult for anyone else to get a look-in,” said Redknapp.
“I first made a move for Young three or four years ago and have been after him ever since. Every club in the top six wanted Jones but the boy chose United and good luck to him.
“Young is a good signing for United. We chased him.
“We chased Stewart Downing. But it was always difficult. Their wages. It was always just out of our reach. That’s the problem.”
