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.
United are already 13 points behind Chelsea this season and I cannot see Jose Mourinho’s side losing four times this season.
What has to be a more realistic goal for van Persie and United is to catch rivals Manchester City for second place. I cannot see Southampton staying in the top four all season, and United find themselves only five points behind City. Considering the injures that van Gaal’s side has faced this season, you get the feeling that if they can stay within touching distance of City heading into the new year, and everyone gets healthy that United could go on one of those runs where the pick up 30 points out of 32 and jump into second place.
Wha do you think is a realistic finish for United this season?