You might want to sit down for this, as I am about to put something out there that had not even entered any Manchester United fans' heads as recently as December.
Are you ready? Good. Here it goes. I honestly believe we are there. I honestly believe United will be a Champions League club again next season.
It was as if a switch had been flicked on – or off – inside me as my Premier League viewing concluded on Saturday.
For months, I have praised Michael Carrick's phenomenal start at Old Trafford, while refusing to show any sign of confidence in an unlikely top-five finish.
Not anymore.
Seven wins out of 10, with just one late defeat, is no longer a honeymoon period. This is a sustained standard that should continue until the season's end.
Meanwhile, Liverpool were woeful again as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Brighton. Hours later, Chelsea looked even more uninspiring, to put it kindly, in their 3-0 trouncing at Everton.
Carrick has accumulated 23 points out of a possible 30. In the same period, Liverpool have won 14 points (seven from the past 15), Chelsea 17 (four from the past 15), and Aston Villa 11 (also just four from the past 15).
United not only have a seven-point cushion on sixth-placed Chelsea, but they are also the only team of the four showing any kind of consistency.
Even if the Red Devils were to win just three of their remaining seven matches, they would finish on a tally of 64 points. For Chelsea to match that from this point, Liam Rosenior's side would require 16 points out of a possible 21.
Given the Blues' run-in features tricky trips to Brighton, Liverpool and Sunderland as well as blockbuster visits of United and Manchester City, it feels like that would take a miracle.
Of course, United should be aiming for a top-three finish at this stage. But with Champions League football in mind, anywhere above sixth will do and I am confident in stating that three wins during the run-in would secure it.
Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC
