Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince believes that they can launch a realistic Premier League title challenge this season.

United have won six consecutive games to move up to third in the table and are currently eight points behind leaders Chelsea, and five off local rivals Manchester City.

Ince told talkSPORT: "A lot of things can happen and we saw that at Newcastle [when Chelsea lost]. I watched Chelsea beat Hull on Saturday and they weren't convincing and, obviously, Manchester City are without Sergio Aguero but have David Silva coming back.

"I think Manchester United might have a sneaky feeling they could catch them. I don't think they will but I think if they can keep grinding results out, get players back fit and get a couple of defenders in [the transfer window], who knows [what they can do?]

"I feel once they're up there they will have as good a chance as Manchester City or Chelsea, which is good because you don't want it to be a two-horse race. You want other teams like the Manchester Uniteds and the Arsenals involved to make it [the title race] exciting."

United will hope to cut the gap on the Premier League's two two when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.