Former Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty has claimed that a Premier League title is an unrealistic aim for the Red Devils this season.

United have recovered from their early-season woes and won six of their last seven games, prompting suggestions that they have an outside chance of bridging the 10-point gap to leaders Chelsea.

Manager Louis van Gaal is expected to secure a minimum top-four finish after a disastrous 2013-14 campaign saw them drop out of the Champions League.

Docherty says that getting back among Europe's elite is the priority, and believes that his former club can provide better competition for Jose Mourinho's side next season.

"No they won't win the championship, not this year, no," he told Perform.

"Maybe next year. They're getting the players and they've got the money to go into the market for anyone they desire.

"They'll be strong contenders next year I would say, along with Chelsea."

The Scot, who helped United to an FA Cup title in 1977, added: "They'll do well if they get into the top four and the Champions League, they'll have done very well. When you're at Manchester United if you don't finish in the top four it's a bad season.

"They should be with the money they've spent, they've spent an absolute fortune it's a licence to print money.

"If they don't get in the top four it'll be a very, very bad season for them. They've got to get into the top four."

Van Gaal and co sit third in the table, three points clear of fifth-placed Southampton in the race for a top-four finish.