Pat Nevin believes Manchester United will finish the season ahead of both Arsenal and Tottenham.
The former Chelsea and Everton midfielder was speaking to Off The Ball tonight before the Reds kicked off against West Brom and although he acknowledged the deficiencies, he also sounded a note of optimism for a club that finished seventh last season.
"If I was a United fan, I wouldn't be worried. I know it's an odd thing to say but I wouldn't be concerned at all. They've got enough brilliant players there. It's beginning to come together. By January I think [Van Gaal] will fill in the gaps that he needs to fill in," said Pat.
"I'd rather be a Man United fan than an Arsenal or Spurs fan. I think Man United will finish above both of them."
Pat also discussed whether QPR boss Harry Redknapp was right to use the "nuclear option" with attacking midfielder Adel Taarabt who he branded over-weight and ineffective, while he also gave his take on the criticism Mario Balotelli is attracting as he fails to make an impact at Liverpool.
He also gave his take on Southampton's 8 - 0 win over Sunderland and why the Black Cats may have collapsed to such a degree, and whether there should be more scrutiny on Gus Poyet's decisions.
