Joleon Lescott column: Rejuvenated Red Devils are top-four material

I wasn’t sold on Manchester United’s top-four prospects at the start of the season — but now I think the Red Devils are up to the task. 

Saturday evening’s trip to Chelsea won’t be easy for Erik ten Hag’s side but they will arrive full of confidence after brushing aside Tottenham in midweek.

For the first time in a long time, you are expecting United to get the job done against a lot of teams. They are rediscovering the habit of grinding out victories.

Of course, this has still only been a six or seven week period of positive results. They still have to show it is more than just a good run of form.

The Manchester City defeat was a stark reminder of why they aren’t yet title contenders, but I do think things are moving in the right direction.

Antony’s impact has been really impressive.

He’s a bit of an old-fashioned winger in the way that he looks to pick up the ball on the half-turn and just run at his man.

Most importantly, he’s shown a goalscoring touch and even in the games he hasn’t netted, he is offering a constant threat.

What a difference Casemiro makes in the middle of the park, too.

He played a key role in five Champions League triumphs so he was hardly going to have many issues adapting to a new league! 

These new faces bring a winning mindset and have not been scarred by previous troubles — finally United fans have good reason to feel positive about the future.

Gunners keep rolling

Arsenal will fancy their chances of keeping their lead at the top secure when they visit Southampton.

There has been discussion this week about whether the Gunners will still be top heading into next month’s World Cup and I see no reason why they can’t be.

One thing I do know for sure, Mikel Arteta will be gutted there is an extended break coming up.

When you have the kind of momentum his side are enjoying, you just want the games to keep coming thick and fast.

The chasing pack will have a chance to re-focus and refresh themselves, while Arsenal have a long time to think about the state of play.

I’m not expecting them to wilt any time soon, though.

Even if they do slip up against the Saints, I just hope we don’t hear the usual lines about bottling it or the bubble bursting.

They aren’t going to stay undefeated for the rest of the season, so it’s about producing consistently good performances and responding well to any setbacks.

So far, they could hardly have done that any better.

Time for my weekend predictions.

Joleon Lescott’s Premier League Matchday 13 predictions

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool (Saturday, 12.30pm, BT Sport 1)

Results have obviously been much improved for Liverpool recently but in many ways, I think they’d have preferred to face a bigger side here.

These are the kind of games Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled with and they still aren’t playing as well as we’d expect them to.

That said, I think they’ll just have a little too much for a disjointed Nottingham Forest.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Liverpool

Everton vs Crystal Palace (Saturday, 3pm)

Two teams with similar aspirations this season and Everton will feel this is exactly the type of game they need to win at home.

Crystal Palace’s form has been really impressive and my old team-mate Patrick Vieira must be delighted with how hard his side are to beat.

Goodison Park will be feisty though and I’m saying Frank Lampard’s hosts grind out a big win.

Prediction: Everton 1-0 Crystal Palace

Manchester City vs Brighton (Saturday, 3pm)

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi made a good start with that 3-3 draw at Anfield but things have not gone so well since.

Though goals have deserted the Seagulls in their last three outings, I’m a huge fan of Danny Welbeck leading their line and I’m sure improvement is just around the corner.

It’s hard to see them shutting out City, however.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Brighton

Chelsea vs Manchester United (Saturday, 5.30pm, Sky Sports)

As discussed, both teams will arrive full of confidence and that should mean both fancy their chances of winning.

Graham Potter’s men had to really dig in for that draw against Brentford in midweek, which wasn’t a bad result in the end.

However, the performance level there makes me think United can leave Stamford Bridge with at least a point.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United

Aston Villa vs Brentford (Sunday, 2pm)

Steven Gerrard's exit was finally confirmed in midweek and it'll be interesting to see what direction Aston Villa go in with his replacement.

This is a difficult game and if Brentford go in front early, I could see it being a tough afternoon for the hosts — though an early goal the other way would galvanise the crowd.

I can’t decide how this one pans out, so will sit on the fence.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford

Leeds vs Fulham (Sunday, 2pm)

Leeds will always be hopeful of three points at home against any side outside the big six due to the fantastic atmosphere at Elland Road.

Fulham will offer up opportunities for the hosts but also have a real goal threat themselves, so I’m struggling to call it.

I think Jesse Marsch’s men may rise to the occasion and grind a narrow victory out.

Prediction: Leeds 1-0 Fulham

Southampton vs Arsenal (Sunday, 2pm, Sky Sports)

A slip-up is going to come sooner or later for the Gunners as mentioned, though I’m not going to turn against them here.

Southampton got a much-needed win at Bournemouth and a long overdue clean sheet to match, which will have boosted their confidence massively.

Yet the visitors keep finding a way and I expect them to do so again.

Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Arsenal

Wolves vs Leicester (Sunday, 2pm)

This is a tough one to call between two struggling teams and I’ll naturally be hoping for a home victory.

Wolves were actually quite impressive in the first half against Palace before some individual brilliance undid them, so I think they’ll have taken positives from that.

Leicester are showing flashes of their old selves but I’m going with my heart on this one.

Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Leicester

Tottenham vs Newcastle (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky Sports)

Tottenham’s performance level was once again disappointing but the result didn’t get them out of jail against Manchester United in midweek.

I would like to see Spurs take the handbrake off from the start rather than playing it safe because Newcastle carry a real threat going forward.

Eddie Howe’s side will run them close but I think home advantage may just prove pivotal.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Newcastle

West Ham vs Bournemouth (Monday, 8pm, Sky Sports)

Bournemouth don’t appear to be in any rush to appoint Gary O’Neil’s successor, which tells you what a good job he’s doing.

West Ham were much better at Anfield in midweek but ultimately left empty-handed and they really have to be taking maximum points from a game like this.

I think they get the job done but it may be an uncomfortable evening for Hammers fans.

Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Bournemouth

Joleon Lescott was speaking to Matthew Hill