Former Manchester United defender Kevin Moran says third is the best finish his former club can hope for this season.
Writing in the Sunday World, the FA Cup winner explained: "For Manchester United being third just now will do for them - and it will do for them at the end of it all too.
"As I said in this column so many times in July and August, it is imperative that the Red Devils get back into the Champions League next season - it's the over-riding issue for 2014/15.
"And, despite a raft of injuries and some muddling performances as the players adapt to the new tactics of Louis van Gaal, United are firmly on course to achieve their prime target. Can they win the title? Yes, of course. United are only ten points behind Chelsea and half of the season remains to be played.
"Will they win the title? I doubt it, for two reasons.
"Firstly, because United will need to step up again when it comes to the head-to-head matches against Chelsea and 'City.
"It goes without saying that if you are going to close such a gap you have to win the games against the clubs ahead of you, and I just don't see United as yet being strong enough to do that. And the other reason is that they are just not yet consistent enough."