Robin van Persie believes Manchester United can still win the title even though they are 13 points behind leaders Chelsea, but suggested they stand a greater chance of becoming champions for a 21st time next season.
United moved into the top four with Saturday's 2-1 victory at Van Persie's former club Arsenal and Van Persie thinks that, with 26 games of the season remaining, they have time to catch Jose Mourinho's team.
He told BT Sport: "This year it's still possible as we've only played [a third] of our games. We're aiming for this year, but it will be very hard. If not this year then hopefully next year."
United had made their worst start to a Premier League season and have already dropped 17 points this season, while they only dropped 25 in the whole of the 2012-13 season when they were last champions.
Meanwhile, captain Wayne Rooney named Van Persie in his ideal United five-a-side team.
The 29-year-old picked an attacking quintet with Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata, who has not made manager Louis van Gaal's starting 11 for the last three games.
Rooney admitted there was one obvious absence from his side, asking the club's official website: "Do you have to have a goalkeeper?"