John Giles does not expect the likes of Southampton and West Ham to outlast Manchester United in the race to finish in the Top Four this season.
"It's a long hard season. I'd be very surprised if Man United didn't make the Top Four," John told Off The Ball tonight.
But he thinks manager Louis Van Gaal is benefiting from the lower expectations at the club in comparison to the David Moyes era.
"My opinion on him is mixed," said John, highlighting the ups and downs from the World Cup, pre-season and the early parts of the current campaign.
But he also feels that Van Gaal cannot be judged until injuries abate and his spending spree ends.
John also thinks the resurgent Marouane Fellaini is also benefiting from a similar case of lower expectations in comparison to being the Reds' main signing last summer.
"I think he has a value but I don't think [Van Gaal] is going to make him into a great player by any means."
John also believes that Jose Mourinho is not rotating his team in the league at the moment in order to wrap up the league as early as possible, before the Champions League knockout stages begin in earnest.
He also talked about player fatigue and the culture during his day when squad sizes were smaller.
Meanwhile, John has noted a sense of urgency and renewed drive at Manchester City as they play their way back into form and the title reckoning.
He also gave his take on Everton's inconsistent form, adding that Roberto Martinez is a "good talker".
Plus, he revealed that he thinks Stephanie Roche should win the Puskas Award because her goal was better than Robin Van Persie's header and James Rodriguez's Colombia goal against Uruguay.
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