Premier League: The podium beckons for Man United

David de Gea was the hero as Man United conquered Everton

Michael Lintorn is surprised to find Man United available to back at odds-against for a top-three Premier League finish...

It was a case of "another week, another unconvincing victory" for Man United against Everton, but that represents significant progress from the home loss to Swansea and away defensive disasters at MK Dons and Leicester which plagued the first six weeks of their campaign.

The strange sight of the 20-time champions' ten men time-wasting and hoofing the ball into touch as fans whistled desperately for full time against West Ham a week ago was followed by a 2-1 win in which Leighton Baines failed to convert a penalty and David de Gea made excellent late saves.

Somehow, someway Man United find themselves fourth in the Premier League as a result of those successive Old Trafford triumphs. Admittedly, they are eight points behind Chelsea and three shy of Man City yet, more importantly with a Champions League return the initial target, they head Tottenham on goal difference, are one point clear of Arsenal and Liverpool and five above Everton.

To his credit, Louis van Gaal didn't feign that a major improvement had thrust his side up the table so rapidly from 12th a fortnight ago. Instead, he made a chillingly accurate observation: "I told my players, 'We are not playing well but we are fourth in the table, so what will happen when we do play well?'"

It is a valid question which calls into question whether the 2.35/4 price currently offered on a top-three finish is exceptional value. Last season was the first time that they ever failed to achieve that in the Premier League and, despite a shaky start, they already lead their most likely rivals.

Though Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton finished above them in 2013/14, it is difficult to argue that any of their squads are superior to Man United's since they signed Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao, particularly in goal and from midfield upwards.

Van Gaal has regularly emphasised that his teams struggle for the first few months and his 2009/10 Bundesliga-winning Bayern Munich squad also had 11 points after seven games. Indeed, Man United won the 2002/03 title from this exact position, a feat that they are rated at 17.016/1 to replicate.

The picture will be a lot clearer in five matches, by which time they will have hosted table-topping Chelsea and visited Man City and Arsenal.