Midfielder Mason Mount says Manchester United have the ability and mentality to win the Premier League next season.
It is 13 years since United last lifted the title, in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.
The team finished 15th last season but victory against Liverpool on Sunday will secure the return of Champions League football to Old Trafford.
And Mount, 27, already has one eye on the next campaign – and feels ending that 13-year title drought should be the aim.
“I’ve won the Champions League already, so I have a goal of winning the Premier League,” he said. “Can we do that? Yes, I think we can.
“It may seem a little bit far away, but you must have that mentality to really push yourself as a group.
“We’ve shown what we can do against the big teams already; Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, so we’ve done it.
“Now it’s about doing it on a bigger stage in the Champions League and doing it more consistently in the Premier League.
“Hopefully, I will be a massive part of that moving forward next season. It’s a goal: I want to win the Premier League.”
There has been chatter over Mount’s position at Old Trafford.
He has featured in 20 out of United’s 34 Premier League games, but started only 10 and none since the victory over Newcastle on 26 December.
Having seemed ideally suited to one of the number 10 roles in Ruben Amorim’s formation, it feels less clear where Mount can be most effective in Michael Carrick’s side.
Carrick has praised Mount though, and the former Chelsea man, who felt he was close to an England recall under Thomas Tuchel until niggling injuries limited his appearances, is confident he can play a significant role in United’s push for honours next season.
“I will always back myself,” he said. “I know what I’m about and what I can bring.
“I love being a part of a massive club. It’s my third season and it’s flown.
“I’m a bit older now and I’ve got a bit more experience. There are going to be a lot more games next season. Being a part of getting this club back to the top, where it deserves to be, is super special.”
“I’ve had a little taste of winning something with the club, in the FA Cup. That was unbelievable. To do a Premier League? I can’t even imagine how special that would be.”
Mount was speaking less than 24 hours after helping United secure a home win over Brentford that leaves them needing two points from their remaining four games to seal a return to Europe’s elite club competition.
He was at St George’s Park at a two-day Make A Wish foundation event he funded, managing a team of children with critical illness to a 32-2 victory over a team of Premier League mascots.
The England star said he “loved” the experience and didn’t rule out becoming a full-time boss himself one day.
For now, though, he is fully focused on the playing side.
